Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades. Born in 1955 in Central, South Carolina, he attended the University of South Carolina, earning both undergraduate and law degrees. After serving as a lawyer in the U.S. Air Force and later in the South Carolina Air National Guard, Graham transitioned into politics.
His political career began in the South Carolina House of Representatives (1993–1995). He then won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, serving South Carolina’s 3rd congressional district. Graham became known as a staunch conservative with a strong national defense stance. In 2002, he won a U.S. Senate seat, succeeding longtime Senator Strom Thurmond. Since then, he has been reelected multiple times, solidifying his status as a senior Republican leader.
Graham is known for his evolving political positions and his ability to navigate party lines on certain issues. His career has been marked by both bipartisan cooperation and staunch party loyalty, depending on the political climate.
Stances on Key Issues
Economic Issues
Lindsey Graham generally supports pro-business, free-market economic policies. He has advocated for lowering corporate tax rates, reducing government regulations on businesses, and maintaining a strong defense budget. He supported the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered taxes for corporations and individuals, arguing that it would stimulate economic growth. Graham has also backed efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, claiming it imposed too many economic burdens on businesses.
However, Graham has been willing to break with some conservatives on fiscal issues. He has acknowledged the need for entitlement reform but has been cautious about cutting Social Security and Medicare without a comprehensive approach.
Social Issues
Graham is a staunch conservative on social issues. He has long been a vocal opponent of abortion rights and has supported strict anti-abortion legislation, including the 15-week federal abortion ban he proposed in 2022. He has also opposed same-sex marriage in the past, though he later acknowledged its legality after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.
On gun control, Graham has largely opposed restrictions but has occasionally shown support for measures like red flag laws, which allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
Immigration Issues
Graham has had an evolving stance on immigration. Early in his Senate career, he supported bipartisan immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. However, as the Republican Party shifted under Donald Trump, Graham hardened his stance, aligning more closely with the former president’s strict border policies. He has supported increased border security, funding for the border wall, and stricter asylum policies.
Despite this, Graham has occasionally pushed for immigration compromises, particularly for DREAMers (undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children). However, his efforts have often been blocked due to partisan divisions.
Education Issues
Graham has supported policies that favor school choice, including expanding charter schools and voucher programs. He has backed reducing federal involvement in education and giving more control to state and local governments. He has also advocated for measures to protect free speech on college campuses, often criticizing what he sees as liberal bias in higher education.
Political Relationship with Donald Trump
Lindsey Graham’s relationship with Donald Trump has been one of the most complex and publicly scrutinized in modern American politics. Initially, Graham was a fierce critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries, calling him a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.” He also opposed Trump’s nomination, favoring more traditional conservative candidates like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio.
However, after Trump won the presidency, Graham underwent a dramatic shift, becoming one of Trump’s most vocal defenders. He frequently praised Trump’s policies, particularly on judicial appointments, tax cuts, and foreign policy. This transformation was widely seen as a strategic move to maintain influence within the Republican Party.
Despite his loyalty, Graham occasionally broke with Trump. After the 2020 presidential election, he initially defended Trump’s election fraud claims but later rejected efforts to overturn the results. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Graham declared, “Enough is enough,” distancing himself from Trump’s rhetoric. However, he later reaffirmed his support for Trump, stating that he remained a crucial leader in the GOP.
Throughout their relationship, both Graham and Trump made controversial statements that drew public backlash. Graham’s reversal from Trump critic to ally led to accusations of political opportunism. Meanwhile, Trump’s attacks on opponents and inflammatory rhetoric, often supported by Graham, remained a defining aspect of their alliance.
Despite moments of separation, Graham continues to play a key role in Trump’s political orbit, endorsing him for the 2024 presidential race. His fluctuating stance reflects both his personal ambitions and the evolving dynamics of the Republican Party.