Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lindsey Graham

1982: Joined the Air Force

In 1982, Lindsey Graham joined the United States Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

1982: Commissioned as JAG Officer

In 1982, upon graduating from law school, Lindsey Graham was commissioned as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) in the United States Air Force and began active duty.

1984: Chief Prosecutor in Europe

From 1984 to 1988, Lindsey Graham was the Air Force's chief prosecutor in Europe, stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany.

1984: Featured on 60 Minutes

In 1984, while defending an Air Force pilot accused of using marijuana, Lindsey Graham was featured in an episode of "60 Minutes" that exposed the Air Force's defective drug-testing procedures.

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1988: Assistant County Attorney

From 1988 to 1992, after his service in Europe, Lindsey Graham returned to South Carolina and served as assistant county attorney for Oconee County.

1988: End of Active Duty in Air Force

In 1988, Lindsey Graham ended his active duty service in the United States Air Force.

1989: Left Active Duty and Entered Private Practice

In 1989, Lindsey Graham left active duty in the Air Force and entered private practice as a lawyer in South Carolina.

1989: Joined SC Air National Guard

In 1989, after leaving the Air Force, Lindsey Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard.

1990: Recalled to Active Duty

During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Lindsey Graham was recalled to active duty, serving as a judge advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Station in Eastover, South Carolina.

1990: City Attorney for Central

From 1990 to 1994, Lindsey Graham served as city attorney for Central, South Carolina.

1991: Recalled to Active Duty

During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Lindsey Graham was recalled to active duty, serving as a judge advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Station in Eastover, South Carolina.

1992: Assistant County Attorney

From 1988 to 1992, after his service in Europe, Lindsey Graham returned to South Carolina and served as assistant county attorney for Oconee County.

1992: Elected to SC House

In 1992, Lindsey Graham was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 2nd district in Oconee County.

1993: Began Term in SC House

In 1993, Lindsey Graham began serving his term in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

1993: South Carolina House of Representatives

In 1993, Lindsey Graham began serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

1994: City Attorney for Central

From 1990 to 1994, Lindsey Graham served as city attorney for Central, South Carolina.

1994: Elected to US House

In 1994, Lindsey Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district, becoming the first Republican to represent the district since 1877.

1995: U.S. House of Representatives

In 1995, Lindsey Graham began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing South Carolina's 3rd congressional district.

1995: End of Term in SC House

In 1995, Lindsey Graham's term in the South Carolina House of Representatives ended.

1995: Joined U.S. Air Force Reserve

In 1995, after serving in the South Carolina Air National Guard, Lindsey Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

1996: Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Lindsey Graham voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and enacted non-recognition of same-sex marriages at the federal level.

1996: Re-elected to House

In 1996, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Debbie Dorn.

November 1997: Co-sponsored Clinton Impeachment Resolution

In November 1997, Lindsey Graham was one of 18 House Republicans to co-sponsor a resolution by Bob Barr that sought to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Bill Clinton.

1997: Leadership Challenge

In 1997, Lindsey Graham took part in a leadership challenge against House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

October 8, 1998: Voted for Clinton Impeachment Inquiry

On October 8, 1998, Lindsey Graham voted in favor of legislation to open an impeachment inquiry into President Bill Clinton. He later served as a House impeachment manager in the impeachment trial.

1998: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

In 1998, Lindsey Graham was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

1998: Re-elected to House Unopposed

In 1998, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.

1998: Past Statements on Presidential Impeachment

In December 2019, during Trump's impeachment, Democrats referenced statements Graham made during the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton, including his citation of Richard Nixon as proof that a president who ignored a subpoena should be impeached for taking power away from Congress.

2000: Graham supports John McCain for president

In 2000, Lindsey Graham supported John McCain for president.

2000: Re-elected to Fourth Term

In 2000, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Democratic nominee George Brightharp.

2002: Vote for Iraq Resolution

In 2002, Lindsey Graham voted for the Iraq Resolution, which authorized military action against Iraq, and he supported the invasion of Iraq.

2002: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2002, Lindsey Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate after Strom Thurmond retired. Graham became South Carolina's first new U.S. senator since Fritz Hollings in 1966.

2003: Became Senator

In 2003, Lindsey Graham became the senior United States senator from South Carolina, a position he has held since.

2003: Began U.S. Senate Service

In 2003, Lindsey Graham began his service in the U.S. Senate.

2004: Promoted to Colonel

In 2004, Lindsey Graham was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve during a White House ceremony officiated by President George W. Bush.

May 23, 2005: Part of the Gang of 14 Senators

On May 23, 2005, Lindsey Graham was part of the "Gang of 14" senators who forged a compromise that ended the blockage of votes on judicial nominees, negating both Democratic filibusters and the Republican "nuclear option".

July 2005: Secured Declassification of Guantanamo Bay Interrogation Memos

In July 2005, Lindsey Graham secured the declassification and release of memoranda outlining concerns made by senior military lawyers as early as 2003 about the legality of the interrogations of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.

November 2005: Amendment to Department of Defense Authorization Act

In November 2005, Lindsey Graham authored an amendment to a Department of Defense Authorization Act attempting to clarify the authority of American courts regarding detainees, which passed despite opposition.

February 2006: Amicus Brief in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld Case

In February 2006, Lindsey Graham joined Senator Jon Kyl in filing an amicus brief in the Hamdan v. Rumsfeld case arguing that Congress was aware that the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 would strip the Supreme Court of jurisdiction to hear cases brought by Guantanamo detainees.

2006: Support for Constitutional Amendment Opposing Same-Sex Marriage

In 2006, Lindsey Graham voted in support of a constitutional amendment that opposed marriage between same-sex couples, stating his belief in the traditional definition of marriage and the necessity of protecting it through a constitutional amendment.

2006: Supporter of McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill

In 2006, Lindsey Graham was a supporter of S. 2611, the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill.

2006: Court Ruling on Military Judge Service

In 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces set aside a lower court's ruling, concluding that it was improper for Graham to serve as a military judge while a sitting member of the Senate.

2007: Served in Iraq as Reservist

In 2007, Lindsey Graham served in Iraq as a reservist on active duty for a short period in April and for two weeks in August, working on detainee and rule-of-law issues.

2007: Supporter of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act

In 2007, Lindsey Graham was a supporter of S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act.

2007: Influence Reached Zenith

In 2007, Lindsey Graham, along with John McCain and Joe Lieberman ("the three amigos"), reached the height of their influence as President Bush advocated for his surge strategy in Iraq.

2008: Graham serves as co-chair for McCain's presidential campaign

In 2008, Lindsey Graham served as national co-chair of John McCain's presidential campaign.

2008: Re-elected to Senate

In 2008, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Buddy Witherspoon in the Republican primary and Bob Conley in the general election.

2008: Primary Challenge

In 2008, Lindsey Graham won the Republican nomination by a large margin, despite a primary challenge due to his positions on immigration.

2008: Russian Invasion of Georgian Land

In August 2011, Lindsey Graham co-sponsored a resolution asserting that Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgian land was an act of aggression.

August 2009: Served in Afghanistan

During the August 2009 Senate recess, Lindsey Graham served in Afghanistan.

August 2009: Legal Advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan

From August 2009 to July 2014, Graham served as a senior legal adviser to the Air Force in Iraq and Afghanistan.

December 10, 2009: Co-sponsorship of Climate Change Bill Letter

On December 10, 2009, Lindsey Graham, along with senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, co-sponsored a letter to President Obama, expressing their commitment to passing a climate change bill and outlining its framework.

December 2009: Voted Against Affordable Care Act

In December 2009, Lindsey Graham voted against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

June 2010: Graham Questions Global Warming Science

In June 2010, Lindsey Graham stated that the science about global warming had changed and that the issue had been oversold. He also indicated his plan to vote against the climate bill he initially co-sponsored.

November 6, 2010: Call for Preemptive Military Strike Against Iran

On November 6, 2010, Lindsey Graham advocated for a preemptive military strike aimed at weakening the Iranian regime.

December 2010: Vote Against New START Treaty

In December 2010, Lindsey Graham was among 26 senators who voted against the ratification of the New START treaty, a nuclear arms reduction agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

2010: Voted Against Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act

In 2010, Lindsey Graham voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.

2010: Talks with Chuck Schumer on Immigration Reform

In early 2010, Lindsey Graham began working with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer on immigration reform, but the talks broke down later that year.

August 2011: Co-sponsorship of Resolution on Russia and Georgia

In August 2011, Lindsey Graham co-sponsored a resolution asserting that Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgian land was an act of aggression.

2011: Kelly Ayotte Joins the Group

In 2011, Kelly Ayotte joined the Senate and was considered Lieberman's replacement in the group.

2011: Support for Continuing U.S. Military Presence in Iraq

In 2011, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for a continued U.S. military presence in Iraq.

April 2012: Graham endorses Mitt Romney

In April 2012, after Rick Santorum withdrew from the race leaving Mitt Romney as the presumptive nominee, Lindsey Graham endorsed Romney for president.

June 2012: Graham supports closing tax loopholes

In June 2012, despite having signed Grover Norquist's Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Lindsey Graham went on record supporting the closure of tax loopholes without compensating decreases in other tax revenue, citing the country's debt.

November 2012: Resumed Talks on Immigration Reform

In November 2012, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Schumer resumed their talks on comprehensive immigration reform.

2012: Graham's Prediction About Iraq

In 2012, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for a continued U.S. military presence in Iraq, stating, "If we're not smart enough to work with the Iraqis to have 10,000 to 15,000 American troops in Iraq in 2012, Iraq could go to hell."

2012: Graham Statement on Benghazi

In January 29, 2013, Lindsey Graham commented on Hillary Clinton and Benghazi attack, the event occurred in 2012.

January 28, 2013: Announced Principles for Immigration Reform

On January 28, 2013, Lindsey Graham was part of a bipartisan group of eight senators that announced principles for comprehensive immigration reform.

January 29, 2013: Comment on Hillary Clinton and Benghazi

On January 29, 2013, Lindsey Graham said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "got away with murder" after her testimony about the 2012 Benghazi attack.

February 28, 2013: Criticism of Budget Reduction

On February 28, 2013, Lindsey Graham criticized President Obama and both political parties on the Senate floor for allowing budget reductions to occur, predicting a "hollow military" that would "invite aggression".

March 2013: Introduced Bill to Close Gun Loopholes

In March 2013, Lindsey Graham joined senators Jeff Flake, Mark Begich, and Mark Pryor in introducing a bill that would close a loophole by flagging people who attempt to buy guns who have used an insanity defense.

June 23, 2013: Senate Close to Obtaining Votes for Reform Package

On June 23, 2013, Lindsey Graham stated that the Senate was close to obtaining 70 votes to pass the immigration reform package.

July 16, 2013: Suggestion of Boycotting Sochi Olympics

On July 16, 2013, Lindsey Graham suggested that the United States should consider boycotting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

July 25, 2013: Amendment on Sanctions Against Countries Offering Asylum to Edward Snowden

On July 25, 2013, Lindsey Graham's amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, seeking sanctions against any country offering asylum to Edward Snowden, was unanimously adopted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations.

2013: Influence Declined

In 2013, The influence of Graham, McCain and Lieberman declined shortly before Lieberman retired from the Senate.

2013: Democrats changed Senate rules

In 2013, years before his 2016 pledge, Democrats changed Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote for nominees to United States courts of appeals.

July 2014: Legal Advisor in Iraq and Afghanistan

From August 2009 to July 2014, Graham served as a senior legal adviser to the Air Force in Iraq and Afghanistan.

October 2014: Graham hints at presidential run

During his Senate reelection race in October 2014, Lindsey Graham hinted at a potential presidential run if nobody else stepped up to address immigration and foreign policy issues.

2014: Vulnerable to Primary Challenge

In 2014, Lindsey Graham was considered one of the most vulnerable Republican senators up for reelection due to low approval ratings and a reputation for compromising with Democrats.

2014: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

In 2014, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2014: Fiscal Year

In 2014, Lindsey Graham's amendment to the Fiscal Year Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, seeking sanctions against any country offering asylum to Edward Snowden, was unanimously adopted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations.

2014: Suggestion of Boycotting Sochi Olympics

On July 16, 2013, Lindsey Graham suggested that the United States should consider boycotting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

March 7, 2015: Graham advocates reversal of defense spending cuts

On March 7, 2015, at a "Politics and Pies" forum, Lindsey Graham advocated the reversal of defense spending cuts and jokingly suggested using the military to keep Congress in town until they fixed the issue.

March 2015: Graham supports Saudi intervention in Yemen

In March 2015, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia and their shared opposition to Iran.

April 19, 2015: Graham indicates likely presidential run

On April 19, 2015, Lindsey Graham stated on Fox News Sunday that he was "91% sure" he would run for president, contingent on raising the necessary funds.

May 18, 2015: Graham announces presidential run

On May 18, 2015, Lindsey Graham informally announced his presidential run on CBS This Morning, citing his belief that "the world is falling apart."

June 1, 2015: Graham announces presidential candidacy

On June 1, 2015, Lindsey Graham formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States.

June 17, 2015: Graham addresses Charleston church shooting

After the mass shooting at a historic African American church in Charleston on June 17, 2015, Lindsey Graham cancelled campaign events and addressed the Confederate flag debate, stating it was time for South Carolina to revisit the decision while emphasizing the shooter's personal responsibility for the crime.

December 2015: Dropped Presidential Candidacy

In December 2015, Lindsey Graham dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination for president before the 2016 primaries began.

December 21, 2015: Graham suspends presidential campaign

On December 21, 2015, Lindsey Graham suspended his presidential campaign due to lack of support and poor polling.

2015: Acceptance of Climate Change Reality

In 2015, Lindsey Graham acknowledged that he "completely understand[s] and accept[s]" that climate change is real, but was unsure of the role human activity played.

2015: Retired from Air Force

In 2015, Lindsey Graham retired from the Air Force at the rank of colonel, with over 33 years of service.

2015: Sponsored Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

In 2015, Lindsey Graham sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the Senate, which bans abortion after 20 weeks of gestation on a national basis, with some exceptions.

January 15, 2016: Graham endorses Jeb Bush

On January 15, 2016, Lindsey Graham endorsed former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for president.

May 2016: Graham announces he won't vote for Trump or Clinton

In May 2016, after it appeared certain that Donald Trump would become the Republican nominee, Lindsey Graham announced that he would not vote for Trump or Hillary Clinton.

November 8, 2016: Graham votes for Evan McMullin

On November 8, 2016, Lindsey Graham announced that he had voted for Evan McMullin in the presidential election.

2016: Pledge about Supreme Court nominee

In 2016, Lindsey Graham made a pledge about Supreme Court nominee.

2016: Position on Supreme Court Vacancies in Election Years

In 2016, after Justice Scalia's death, as Republican senators boycotted Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland, Graham argued that Supreme Court vacancies should not be filled in a presidential election year, setting a precedent.

2016: Graham received campaign contributions from Thornton Law Firm

In 2016, it was reported that Lindsey Graham was "the only Republican recipient of money from a major Democratic donor now facing scrutiny for some questionable campaign donation habits." Over a ten-year period, Graham received $62,800 in campaign contributions from partners at the Thornton Law Firm, known for asbestos-related litigation.

2016: Visit to Manbij, Syria

In July 2018, Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited Manbij in Syria and met with the Manbij Military Council, which led an offensive to liberate the city from ISIS in 2016 with help from the US-led coalition.

January 5, 2017: Condemnation of Obama's Abstention on UN Resolution

On January 5, 2017, Lindsey Graham criticized President Obama for abstaining from UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building.

March 2017: Meeting with Trump

In March 2017, Graham met with Trump, describing it as a successful meeting that prompted him to share his new phone number with Trump, alluding to their previous conflict in 2015.

March 2017: Voted for Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal

In March 2017, Lindsey Graham voted for the Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal that allowed internet service providers to sell customers' browsing history without permission.

October 2017: Response to Tongo Tongo Ambush and Call for Expanded Role in Niger

In October 2017, following the Tongo Tongo ambush, Lindsey Graham expressed surprise at the presence of U.S. troops in Niger and called for an expanded military role in Africa.

2017: Authored Graham-Cassidy Amendment to Repeal Obamacare

In 2017, Lindsey Graham played a leading role in efforts to repeal Obamacare, authoring the Graham–Cassidy amendment.

January 2018: Graham recommends charges against Christopher Steele

In January 2018, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley recommended charges against ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, author of the Steele dossier, for allegedly lying to federal authorities regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

April 2018: Support for Trump's reelection

In April 2018, Graham announced his support for Trump's reelection campaign in 2020.

April 2018: Graham introduces legislation to protect Robert Mueller

In April 2018, Lindsey Graham, along with Cory Booker, Chris Coons, and Thom Tillis, introduced new legislation known as the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act to limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, allowing for an expedited judicial review of any dismissal.

May 2018: Voted Against Restoring Net Neutrality

In May 2018, Lindsey Graham voted against legislation that would have overturned the FCC's ruling and restored net neutrality.

July 2018: Visit to Manbij, Syria

In July 2018, Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited Manbij in Syria and met with the Manbij Military Council.

October 2018: Stance on Filling Supreme Court Openings in Election Year

In October 2018, Graham said that "[i]f an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait till the next election."

November 2018: To Chair Judiciary Committee

In November 2018, Senator Chuck Grassley announced that he would become chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and that Graham would take his place as chair of the Judiciary Committee.

2018: Anti-Abortion Stance

In 2018, Lindsey Graham expressed an anti-abortion stance but acknowledged Roe v. Wade as a precedent.

2018: Strong Stance on Kavanaugh Confirmation

In 2018, during Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Lindsey Graham staunchly opposed delaying the process due to Christine Blasey Ford's allegations of sexual assault. After Ford's testimony, Graham expressed doubt about her recollection and defended Kavanaugh.

January 2019: Call for Republican support of Trump's policies

In January 2019, Graham asserted that Republicans must support Trump's policies, arguing that undermining the president would lead to the end of Trump's presidency and the Republican party.

February 2019: Interview with The New York Times Magazine

In February 2019, Mark Leibovich interviewed Graham for The New York Times Magazine. During the interview, Graham discussed his transformation into a prominent Trump supporter, citing his desire "to be relevant" and gain influence with Trump.

March 11, 2019: Encouragement for Recognizing Golan Heights as Part of Israel

On March 11, 2019, Lindsey Graham said he would encourage the Trump administration to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

March 14, 2019: Graham blocks resolution to make Mueller's report public

On March 14, 2019, Lindsey Graham blocked a resolution calling for Robert Mueller's report to be made public, after it had unanimously passed in the House.

May 14, 2019: Encouragement to Ignore Subpoena

On May 14, 2019, Graham faced scrutiny, including from Senator Joe Manchin, for encouraging Donald Trump Jr. to ignore a subpoena issued by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

May 2019: Call for Military Invasion of Venezuela

In May 2019, Lindsey Graham advocated for a military invasion of Venezuela to overthrow Nicolás Maduro amid the Venezuelan presidential crisis.

May 2019: Proposed New Immigration Laws

In May 2019, Lindsey Graham proposed new immigration laws that would restrict asylum applications and expedite deportations of unaccompanied children to Central America.

June 2019: Graham votes to block Trump's Saudi arms deal

In June 2019, Lindsey Graham was one of seven Republicans who voted to block President Trump's arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, and one of five Republicans to vote against an additional 20 arms sales.

June 25, 2019: Graham defends Trump's cooperation with Mueller investigation

On June 25, 2019, Lindsey Graham defended President Trump's cooperation with the Robert Mueller investigation, stating that Trump provided 1.4 million documents and made individuals available for interviews.

July 2019: Visited Migrant Detention Center in Texas

In July 2019, Lindsey Graham visited a migrant detention center in Texas, describing it as an "overwhelmed facility" rather than a "concentration camp," and stating his stance on detaining migrants.

July 24, 2019: Graham questions Mueller's report

Following Robert Mueller's testimony to congressional committees on July 24, 2019, Lindsey Graham speculated that the Mueller report was just in name only and that it clearly wasn't the Mueller report.

October 8, 2019: Criticism of Trump's Syria Troop Withdrawal

On October 8, 2019, Graham condemned Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria during an interview with Jonathan Swan of Axios, saying that Trump was putting the nation and his presidency at risk.

October 2019: Graham proposes sanctions against Turkey

In October 2019, Lindsey Graham stated that he would introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if they invaded Syria, and he would call for their suspension from NATO if they attacked Kurdish forces who assisted the US in the destruction of the ISIS Caliphate.

November 2019: Graham blocks Senate resolution on Armenian genocide

In November 2019, Lindsey Graham blocked a Senate resolution that would have officially recognized the Armenian genocide.

December 2019: Graham votes for Armenian genocide resolution

In December 2019, Lindsey Graham voted in favor of a resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, which passed the Senate unanimously.

December 2019: Statements on Trump's Impeachment

In December 2019, as impeachment articles against Trump were moving forward, Graham stated that he had already made up his mind and would do everything he could to ensure the impeachment would die quickly in the Senate. He also expressed disdain for the accusations and process, stating he did not need any witnesses.

2019: Chair of the Judiciary Committee

In 2019, Lindsey Graham became the chair of the Judiciary Committee.

2019: Chaired Senate Committee on the Judiciary

In 2019, Lindsey Graham became the chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

May 2020: Senate Confirmation of Supreme Court Nominee

In May 2020, Lindsey Graham stated that the Senate would proceed with confirming a Supreme Court nominee if a vacancy arose before the November election, distinguishing it from the Merrick Garland situation.

August 2020: Rules Changed After Kavanaugh Confirmation

In August 2020, Lindsey Graham asserted that "after Kavanaugh's confirmation, the rules have changed as far as I'm concerned."

September 2020: Support for Immediate Vote on Supreme Court Nominee

In September 2020, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for the Senate immediately voting on President Trump's nominee, a position seen as a reversal of his earlier stance.

2020: Support for Trump's reelection

In 2020, Graham stated he would support Trump's reelection.

2020: Sponsorship of Growing Climate Solutions Act

In 2020, Lindsey Graham sponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aimed to facilitate farmers' ability to sell carbon credits on existing carbon trading markets.

2020: Declined to sign amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe

In 2020, Lindsey Graham was one of 13 Republican senators who declined to sign an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe.

2020: Re-elected to Senate

In 2020, Lindsey Graham was re-elected to the Senate, defeating Jaime Harrison in a competitive race.

2020: Reaction to Biden's election victory

In 2020, after major news networks projected Joe Biden's victory in the United States presidential election, Graham urged Trump not to concede, contributed $500,000 to Trump's election lawsuits, and suggested invalidating election results to appoint pro-Trump electors.

2020: Statement on Voting Irregularities

In 2020, after receiving an affidavit alleging mail ballot backdating, Graham called for investigations into voting irregularities, despite the affidavit later being recanted.

2020: Call to Georgia Secretary of State

In 2020, during the recount in Georgia's presidential election, Graham called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to discuss the possibility of disqualifying mail-in ballots with signature errors, a suggestion Raffensperger viewed as an attempt to discard legally cast ballots. Graham denied the suggestion.

2020: Endorsement for Graham's Senate campaign

In April 2024, Trump expressed regret for endorsing Graham in his 2020 Senate campaign, after Graham criticized Trump for not supporting a federal abortion ban.

2020: Relationship with Trump to help Senate reelection chances

In February 2019, Graham stated that a good relationship with Trump would help his prospects of reelection to the Senate in 2020.

January 6, 2021: Response to Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, after being evacuated from the Capitol due to the attack by Trump supporters, Graham returned to the Senate chamber to certify the Electoral College votes. He broke with many Republican colleagues by affirming that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were lawfully elected.

February 2021: Investigation into Graham's Phone Call

In February 2021, The Washington Post reported that the Fulton County, Georgia district attorney, Fani Willis, was examining Graham's 2020 phone call to Brad Raffensperger as part of a criminal investigation into possible efforts to illegally overturn Georgia's election results.

May 28, 2021: Vote Against January 6 Commission

On May 28, 2021, Graham voted against creating the January 6 commission.

July 8, 2021: Criticism of Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

On July 8, 2021, Lindsey Graham called President Biden's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan a "disaster in the making."

2021: End of Judiciary Committee Chairmanship

In 2021, Lindsey Graham's tenure as chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary concluded.

February 2022: Introduced Bipartisan Legislation on Child Sexual Abuse Material

In February 2022, Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal introduced bipartisan legislation, as part of the EARN IT Act, to incentivize tech companies to remove child sexual abuse material from their platforms.

March 3, 2022: Tweet Suggesting Putin's Assassination

On March 3, 2022, Lindsey Graham tweeted, suggesting that someone in Russia should assassinate Vladimir Putin, which drew backlash and condemnation from American politicians.

May 2022: Advocated Supreme Court Overturning Roe

In May 2022, Lindsey Graham advocated that the Supreme Court overturn Roe to allow each state to decide the legality of abortion.

June 2022: Beliefs on Federal Government's Right to Regulate Abortion

In June 2022, Lindsey Graham asserted that all conservatives believed that the federal government does not have the constitutional right to regulate abortion.

August 2022: States Should Decide on Abortion Issue

In August 2022, Lindsey Graham stated that states should decide the issue of abortion and maintained that he has been consistent on this.

August 2022: Remarks on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

In August 2022, after the House of Representatives approved a bill to recognize same-sex marriages at the federal level, Lindsey Graham stated that "states should decide the issue of marriage" and opposed federal government involvement in defining marriage.

September 2022: Introduced Legislation for Federal Abortion Ban

In September 2022, despite previously supporting states' rights on abortion, Lindsey Graham introduced legislation for a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

2022: Supported Bipartisan Agreement on Gun Control

In 2022, Lindsey Graham became one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control, which included a red flag provision and stronger background checks.

2022: Reiterated Support of the Defense of Marriage Act

In 2022, Lindsey Graham reiterated his support of the Defense of Marriage Act.

January 28, 2023: Appearance at Trump's Campaign Rally

On January 28, 2023, Graham appeared at Trump's first prime-time 2024 campaign rally and expressed his support for Trump to Fox News host Sean Hannity.

May 26, 2023: Controversy over Remarks on Ukraine War

On May 26, 2023, Lindsey Graham's remarks about the war in Ukraine during a conversation with President Zelenskyy caused controversy. An edited video was released, but the unedited version clarified that Graham's comments were unrelated.

May 29, 2023: Russian Arrest Warrant and Graham's Response

On May 29, 2023, the Russian Interior Ministry issued an arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham due to his comments about the war. Graham responded with "immense joy" and stated he would wear the warrant as a "Badge of Honor."

October 10, 2023: Support for Israel During Gaza War

On October 10, 2023, Lindsey Graham expressed his support for Israel during the Gaza war, calling the conflict a "religious war" and suggesting that Gaza should be "flattened".

October 31, 2023: No Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Gaza

On October 31, 2023, Lindsey Graham stated that no amount of civilian casualties in Gaza would cause him to question Israel's goal of eradicating Hamas.

November 2023: Co-sponsorship of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act

In November 2023, Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy co-sponsored the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, endorsed by the Sierra Club. The bill proposed imposing a carbon tariff on energy and industrial imports based on their emission intensity compared to domestic goods.

2023: Graham voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In 2023, Lindsey Graham was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

2023: Ranking for Bipartisanship

In 2023, the Lugar Center ranked Graham in the top third of senators for bipartisanship.

February 13, 2024: Vote against Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan Appropriations Bill

On February 13, 2024, Lindsey Graham voted against the Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan appropriations bill because it included an effort to control the US-Mexico border.

March 9, 2024: Call to Dismantle Palestinian School System

On March 9, 2024, Lindsey Graham stated that Palestinian children are being taught to kill all Jews and called for the destruction of the Palestinian school system.

April 2024: Criticism of Trump on Abortion Ban

In April 2024, Graham criticized Trump for not supporting a federal abortion ban, leading Trump to express regret for endorsing Graham in his 2020 Senate campaign.

May 8, 2024: Warning Against Halting Arms Supply to Israel

On May 8, 2024, Lindsey Graham warned the Pentagon against halting arms supply to Israel during the Gaza war, comparing the situation to "Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids," which caused debate in the Japanese National Diet.

May 2024: Acceptance of Election Results Contingency

In May 2024, Graham stated that he would accept the results of the presidential election only "if there's no massive cheating".

July 2024: Response to Biden's Announcement

In July 2024, after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection, Graham wished Biden well and acknowledged his lifelong service to the nation.

September 2024: Lobbying for Winner-Take-All Electoral System in Nebraska

In September 2024, Graham visited Nebraska to lobby Governor Jim Pillen for a special session to adopt a winner-take-all electoral system, aiming to prevent Kamala Harris from receiving the state's one Electoral College vote. The effort ultimately failed.

October 2024: Criticism of Harris and Biden's Immigration Policy

In October 2024, Graham criticized Republican voters supporting Harris, calling her the "most radical nominee" and arguing that the Biden-Harris immigration policy posed a greater danger than Trump's rhetoric.

2024: Calling Trump's Victory the "Biggest Comeback in American History"

In 2024, Graham called Trump's election victory "the biggest comeback in American history".

2024: Advocacy for Trump's Election

Throughout the 2024 election, Graham campaigned and publicly advocated for Trump on various news programs, calling on other Republican politicians to support Trump.

January 14, 2025: Announced Officials for 2026 Campaign

On January 14, 2025, Graham announced lead officials for his 2026 reelection campaign, including the former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and Governor Henry McMaster's campaign manager and reported $15.6 million in campaign fundraising.

January 2025: Disagreement with Trump's Actions as President

In January 2025, Graham publicly disagreed with several of Trump's initial actions as president, including pardoning January 6 defendants, removing security details for former officials, and firing Inspectors General.

March 26, 2025: Trump Endorsed Graham

On March 26, 2025, it was reported that President Donald Trump endorsed Graham.

June 1, 2025: Comment on Greta Thunberg's Trip to Gaza

On June 1, 2025, Lindsey Graham responded to Greta Thunberg traveling on a ship bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza with a sarcastic comment on X.

2025: Support for Secondary Sanctions Against Russia

In 2025, Lindsey Graham supported secondary sanctions against Russia that would impose 500% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, natural gas, uranium and other exports.

2026: Announced Officials for 2026 Campaign

On January 14, 2025, Graham announced lead officials for his 2026 reelection campaign, including the former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and Governor Henry McMaster's campaign manager and reported $15.6 million in campaign fundraising.