Tributes and statements from local and global leaders are pouring in following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died Saturday at the age of 71 after a brief, sudden illness. A collection of those statements can be found below.
U.S. President Donald Trump
"Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
"In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M. GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
U.S. Vice President JD Vance
"Lindsey Graham came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth. His story was fundamentally American.
"Early in my Senate tenure, I remember getting into a shouting match with Lindsey over a Ukraine funding bill at lunch. The very next day, I learned he was working behind the scenes to advance rail legislation I cared deeply about. That was Lindsey Graham. He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted.
"Lindsey had the best sense of humor in the Senate. He loved the game of politics. He was constantly asking which races were up or down and how he could help. As he liked to say, 'I don't care if you're an isolationist or a religious fanatic. As long as you have an R next to your name, I want you to win.'
"We certainly had our disagreements, but I couldn't help but like him. He was a one-of-a-kind figure in our politics. I'll be praying for him and his family."
Former U.S. President Joe Biden
"Jill and I are shocked by the sudden passing of Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey and I served together in Congress for more than a decade and worked closely on many issues over the years. We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We disagreed often, and sometimes loudly.
Lindsey and I also agreed on the profound importance of public service. Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, despite all its flaws and complexities.
To his family, his staff, his constituents in South Carolina and everyone who loved him, Jill and I are keeping you in our prayers."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (on NBC's Meet the Press)
"I'm in a state of shock. As President Trump said, Lindsey was so vibrant. He was so full of life. He was so full of energy and dedication that it's hard to accept the fact that he is no more.
"I think America has lost a great patriot. Israel has lost one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-Israel alliance. And frankly, I've lost a beloved friend whom I've had for many decades. There's just no one like him."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
"Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Sen. Lindsey Graham.
"Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer. He visited Ukraine 10 times during Russia's full-scale invasion and stood with our people when it was needed most.
"We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.
"A staunch advocate for bipartisan, bicameral support for Ukraine, he had been working in recent weeks on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia.
"We will always be especially grateful for his recognition of our people and his admiration for the courage of Ukraine's defenders.
"America and the world have lost a determined leader. Our condolences go to Lindsey's family, loved ones and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him."
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (on NBC's Meet the Press)
"Here's a guy who was raised in the back of a bar. At 19, while attending the University of South Carolina, he lost his mother. Within 15 months, his father suffered a massive heart attack and died as well.
"Lindsey then adopted his 13-year-old sister and became a surrogate father to her.
"That pain and hardship led him into public service. He chose that path because he wanted to make sure no one felt invisible — that government was there to help those who could not help themselves, not those who would not help themselves.
"Over time, he served in the Air Force and then the Air National Guard. He spent his life in public service because he loved America and believed his story would not have been possible anywhere else.
"The one thing I can tell you about my friend Lindsey is that I'm losing someone who understood that we serve in public office for our bosses — the people of South Carolina. Every senator should remember that we don't lead the people; we serve the people. Lindsey Graham reminded me of that every single day."
Governor Henry McMaster
"Peggy and I—and our children—are devastated. Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again."
Dr. Annie Andrews, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in S.C.
"My deepest condolences are with the family of Sen. Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff, and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss.
From his small-town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force colonel.
I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Sen. Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina."
Charleston Mayor William S. Cogswell, Jr.
“Senator Lindsey Graham served South Carolina in Washington for more than three decades, and the Lowcountry saw the results of that service every day. He championed the deepening of Charleston Harbor from its first study to its final dollar, securing our port’s future for generations. He was equally committed to protecting our city from flooding helping win federal authorization for the Battery Extension and delivering funding for drainage improvements from the peninsula to West Ashley. He loved this state and wasn’t shy about cutting through bureaucracy to bring common sense solutions that pushed South Carolina forward.
“On behalf of the City of Charleston, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and his staff. His legacy will endure in the city and state he loved.”
Rep. Nancy Mace
“South Carolina lost a giant last night.
“For more than three decades, Lindsey Graham gave everything he had to this state and this country, from the Air Force to the United States Senate.
“We did not always agree, but no one ever questioned his love for South Carolina or the fight he brought to every room he walked into.
“Please join me in praying for his family and for all who called him a friend. Rest easy, Senator.”
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) [on NBC's Meet the Press]
"I think we're all trying to wrap our heads around this tremendous loss. He was one of those figures who was truly larger than life, so full of energy that it's hard to imagine him gone.
"You have people in politics who can disagree without being disagreeable. They can have sharp debates, but, as Tim Scott alluded to, Lindsey had a wonderful sense of humor that he used to cut through the tension. He used that humor in a self-deprecating way. He made jokes about his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and he was simply wonderful to travel with.
"I had the opportunity to travel with him around the world and see the respect that world leaders had for him. I think those of us in the Senate, as well as leaders around the world, understood how close he was to the president. Many of us considered him the 'Trump whisperer.' If we wanted to know what the president was thinking or how he might be persuaded on an issue, we'd go to Lindsey to talk it through.
"What I'll remember most about Lindsey — and what I'll treasure most — was his quick wit, his wonderful sense of humor and the way he used both to advance his policy positions. His tremendous grasp of foreign policy and his steadfast support for Ukraine will also be a significant part of his legacy."
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) [on NBC's Meet the Press]
"My condolences to Sen. Graham's family. He obviously served this country honorably in the Air Force. He was someone who bucked his own party on immigration and advocated for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
"Of course, we had profound disagreements on foreign policy. I believe there is a new generation that does not want these foreign wars and instead wants a foreign policy that is more focused on human rights.
But I offer my condolences to his family and recognize his service."