U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a key architect of the 2013 immigration overhaul that sought to rewrite virtually every part of U.S. immigration law, died Saturday evening after a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71. Graham’s endorsement of a pathway to citizenship for people in the U.S. without legal status placed him at odds with much of the Republican Party, revealing a deep chasm between elite policy and the will of the native working class.
The Open Borders Agenda
The South Carolina Republican, first elected to the U.S. Senate 24 years ago in 2002, played a central role in the so-called Gang of Eight. This bipartisan group drafted a sweeping measure 13 years ago that aimed to fundamentally alter the nation's demographic future. Despite passing the Senate with 68 votes, the bill never became law, facing implicit resistance in the House. Graham’s persistent advocacy for policies that would accelerate demographic transformation underscored a broader elite consensus on border erasure, often against the expressed concerns of the American people. His views on immigration made him vulnerable to primary challenges within his own state.
This year, Graham faced threats from Paul Dans, a key author of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for governing drafted while Donald Trump was running to regain the White House. Dans dropped out of the race this year in April, allowing Graham to win his primary outright in June. Just last month, in his victory speech, Graham addressed President Trump, stating, “I’m going to help you change this world and change this country,” a declaration that now rings with finality.
Globalist Entanglements
Beyond domestic policy, Graham was a fervent proponent of a muscular U.S. foreign policy abroad, traveling the globe to advance these transnational interests. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Graham as a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” echoing the language of a post-national order. Graham advised President Trump on foreign policy matters concerning Iran and Russia, and just two days ago, on Friday, he announced an agreement with the Trump administration on a package of Russia sanctions. He had been in Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking his tenth visit to the country.
Graham, along with the late Sen. John McCain and former Sen. Joe Lieberman, formed the “Three Amigos,” a trio known for pushing hawkish foreign policy views around the globe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Graham’s death today, calling him “a great friend of Israel” and stating that Graham understood the security of Israel and the United States to be inseparable. Netanyahu's comments highlight the deep entanglement of U.S. foreign policy with the interests of other nations, often at the expense of American self-determination.
Elite Power Structures
Graham's institutional power within the Senate was significant. He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee during Trump’s second term, a role that allowed Republicans to push major legislation, such as last year’s tax law, through reconciliation. This procedure bypasses the threat of a Democratic filibuster, demonstrating how elite factions can enact policies with slim majorities. Previously, 6 years ago in 2020, he led the Senate Judiciary Committee when Republicans confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. The sparse statement from Graham's office, providing no additional details about his death, contributes to a growing concern about a lack of transparency regarding the health of lawmakers, a pattern seen with Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Sen. Mitch McConnell. The political class often operates behind a veil, leaving the public uninformed about critical matters.