Lindsey Graham

After describing Trump in extremely hostile terms in 2015–2016, Graham gradually became one of his most consistent Senate allies, particularly on judicial appointments and numerous foreign policy priorities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Graham became the principal sponsor of a sweeping sanctions bill against Russia, including severe measures against buyers of Russian energy and extensive tariff powers. After his death, the Senate passed the bill by 86 votes to 11 and the House prepared to consider it.

State of the evidence

Documented

Graham called Trump's pardons of people involved in the Capitol attack a mistake, particularly those convicted of violence against police officers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After the Capitol attack, Graham told the Senate that his political relationship with Trump had reached its limit and declared 'count me out'. He subsequently resumed close cooperation with Trump and again supported his candidacy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Challenging the suspension of certain US arms deliveries to Israel, Graham invoked the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as an example of a war the United States believed it could not afford to lose, and called for Israel to receive the weapons needed to win.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

The Fulton County special grand jury's report revealed that a majority of jurors had recommended considering charges against Graham over efforts to change Georgia's election result.

Attribution

Protagonist not prosecuted

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

The Fulton County prosecutor subpoenaed Graham to testify before the special grand jury investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 result. Graham tried to block the subpoena, invoking protections associated with his Senate duties, among other grounds.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is a witness

Shortly after Roe v Wade was overturned, while many Republicans stressed that abortion policy had returned to the states, Graham introduced federal legislation prohibiting most abortions after 15 weeks.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In 2016 and again in 2018, Graham stated that a Supreme Court vacancy arising close to a presidential election should wait until the next election and explicitly invited the public to 'use his words against him'. After Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death in 2020, he instead supported the swift confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After a judicial confirmation hearing, Graham encouraged journalists present at the Capitol to help his campaign through his fundraising website. The South Carolina Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee, alleging solicitation of funds inside a federal building.

State of the evidence

Documented

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said he understood Graham to be asking whether broad categories of postal ballots could be excluded when signatures raised concerns.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the Republican primary, Graham attacked Trump directly following his proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States, arguing that he did not represent Republican Party values.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated