Sen. Lindsey Graham likely died after aorta rupture, medical examiner says

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Congress who traveled the globe to advocate for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, has died after a 'brief and sudden illness.' He was 71. His office's statement posted on social media early Sunday said his family 'appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.' It did not provide any additional details about the circumstances surrounding the Saturday night death of the prominent South Carolina Republican, a former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for three decades. Hours later, another statement from Graham's office said the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia's preliminary findings are the senator died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. That is an aorta rupture stemming from hardening of Graham's arteries. Trump, who talked to Graham frequently, said he was 'like a member of the family. It's very tough.' He said on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that Graham had called him on Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine and 'sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.' The president ordered that flags across the country be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Graham was 'over the moon' with the Russian sanctions deal announced Friday. 'The last thing in the world I would have guessed was that he was sick or ill or in any way vulnerable,' Blumenthal said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States was inseparable. 'Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,' Netanyahu said.