History of Lindsey Graham in Timeline
Lindsey Graham is a prominent American politician currently serving as the senior United States senator from South Carolina since 2003. A Republican, his career includes prior service as an Air Force veteran and chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021. He is a key figure in American politics.
July 9, 1955: Lindsey Graham's Birth
On July 9, 1955, Lindsey Olin Graham was born.
1966: Fritz Hollings elected to U.S. Senate
In 1966, Fritz Hollings was elected to the U.S. Senate.
1973: Way the United States handled the issue until 1973
In May 2022, Graham advocated that the Supreme Court overturn Roe to ensure that "every state will decide if abortion is legal and on what terms", as this would be "the most constitutionally sound way of dealing with this issue and the way the United States handled the issue until 1973."
1977: Graduated with B.A. in Psychology
In 1977, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in psychology.
1981: Graduated Law School
In 1981, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a J.D.
1982: Active Duty in the Air Force
In 1982, Graham began his active duty military service with the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the United States Air Force.
1982: Commissioned as Officer in JAG Corps
In 1982, Graham was commissioned as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the United States Air Force.
1984: Featured on 60 Minutes
In 1984, Graham was featured on an episode of "60 Minutes" while defending an Air Force pilot, exposing the Air Force's defective drug-testing procedures.
1988: Served as Assistant County Attorney
From 1988 to 1992, Graham served as assistant county attorney for Oconee County.
1988: End of Air Force Duty in Europe
In 1988, Graham's service as the Air Force's chief prosecutor in Europe concluded.
1989: Left Active Duty, Entered Private Practice
In 1989, Graham left active duty in the Air Force and entered private practice as a lawyer.
1989: Joined South Carolina Air National Guard
In 1989, after leaving the Air Force, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard.
1990: Recalled to Active Duty for Gulf War
During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Graham was recalled to active duty, serving as a judge advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Station.
1990: City Attorney for Central
From 1990 to 1994, Graham served as city attorney for Central.
1991: Recalled to Active Duty for Gulf War
During the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Graham was recalled to active duty, serving as a judge advocate at McEntire Air National Guard Station.
1992: Elected to South Carolina House of Representatives
In 1992, Graham was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 2nd district.
1992: End of service as Assistant County Attorney
In 1992, Graham's service as assistant county attorney for Oconee County concluded.
1993: Elected to South Carolina House of Representatives
In 1993, Graham served one term in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
1994: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1994, 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.
1994: End of service as City Attorney
In 1994, Graham's service as city attorney for Central concluded.
1994: Write-ins received 13 votes
In 1994, write-in candidates received 13 votes in an election.
1995: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1995, Graham began serving in the United States House of Representatives for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district.
1995: Joined U.S. Air Force Reserve
In 1995, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve after serving in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
1995: End of term in South Carolina House of Representatives
In 1995, Graham's term in the South Carolina House of Representatives concluded.
1996: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1996, Graham was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Debbie Dorn.
1996: Voted for the Defense of Marriage Act
In 1996, Lindsey Graham voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
November 1997: Co-sponsored resolution to launch impeachment inquiry
In November 1997, Graham co-sponsored a resolution by Bob Barr that sought to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Bill Clinton.
1997: Participated in leadership challenge
In 1997, Graham took part in a leadership challenge against House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
October 8, 1998: Voted in favor of legislation to open impeachment inquiry
On October 8, 1998, Graham voted in favor of legislation to open an impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton.
1998: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
In 1998, Graham was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
1998: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1998, Graham was re-elected to a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.
1998: Dispute Over Military Record
In 1998, The Hill newspaper questioned Graham's description of himself as a Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran on his website, which he denied.
1998: Graham's past impeachment statements
In December 2019, Democrats referenced statements Graham made during the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton.
2000: Re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2000, Graham was re-elected to a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating George Brightharp.
2000: Graham supported John McCain for president in 2000
In 2000, Lindsey Graham supported John McCain for president.
2000: Minor candidates and write-ins received votes
In 2000, Natural Law candidate LeRoy J. Klein received 1,122 votes and write-ins received 33 votes.
2002: Elected to U.S. Senate
In 2002, Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding Strom Thurmond.
2002: Won U.S. Senate Seat
In 2002, Graham won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Strom Thurmond.
2002: Graham Votes for Iraq Resolution
In 2002, Lindsey Graham voted for the Iraq Resolution, authorizing military action against Iraq.
2003: Elected to U.S. Senate
In 2003, Graham began serving as the senior United States Senator from South Carolina.
2003: Concerns made by senior military lawyers
In July 2005, Lindsey Graham secured the declassification and release of memoranda outlining concerns made by military lawyers as early as 2003 regarding the legality of interrogations at Guantanamo Bay.
June 2004: U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing detainees to file habeas corpus petitions
Lindsey Graham authored an amendment to a Department of Defense Authorization Act attempting to clarify the authority of American courts. The amendment passed in November 2005.
2004: Promoted to Colonel
In 2004, Graham received his promotion to colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
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 ending the blockage of judicial nominees, negating both the filibuster and the "nuclear option".
July 2005: Secured Release of Guantanamo Bay Memoranda
In July 2005, Lindsey Graham secured the declassification and release of memoranda outlining concerns made by military lawyers as early as 2003 regarding the legality of interrogations at Guantanamo Bay.
November 2005: Amendment to Department of Defense Authorization Act
In response to a June 2004 Supreme Court decision, Lindsey Graham authored an amendment to a Department of Defense Authorization Act attempting to clarify the authority of American courts, which passed in November 2005.
2005: Detainee Treatment Act of 2005
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.
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.
2006: Support of McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill of 2006
In 2006, Lindsey Graham supported S. 2611, the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill of 2006.
2006: Voted for Constitutional Amendment Opposing Same-Sex Marriage
In 2006, Lindsey Graham voted to support a constitutional amendment opposing marriage between same-sex couples.
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 it was improper for Graham to serve as a military judge while a senator.
2007: Served in Iraq
In 2007, Graham served in Iraq as a reservist on active duty, working on detainee and rule-of-law issues.
2007: Support of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007
In 2007, Lindsey Graham supported S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007.
2007: Graham Advocates for Military Intervention as One of "Three Amigos"
In 2007, Lindsey Graham, along with John McCain and Joe Lieberman, reached peak influence advocating for President Bush's surge strategy in Iraq.
2008: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 2008, 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 Win
In 2008, Lindsey Graham faced a primary challenge due to his immigration positions, but he won the nomination by a large margin.
2008: Graham served as national co-chair of McCain's 2008 presidential campaign
In 2008, Lindsey Graham served as the national co-chair of John McCain's presidential campaign.
2008: Resolution Condemning Russian Aggression
In August 2011, Lindsey Graham co-sponsored a resolution that contended that "Russia's invasion of Georgian land in 2008 was an act of aggression".
May 2009: Domestic Internment as a Model
In a May 2009 CNN interview, Lindsey Graham suggested the domestic internment of German and Japanese prisoners of war and U.S. Citizens as a model for domestic detention of Guantanamo detainees.
August 2009: Served in Afghanistan
During the August 2009 Senate recess, Graham served in Afghanistan.
August 2009: Served as 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: Graham Co-Sponsors 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, outlining a framework for a climate change bill.
December 2009: Voted Against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
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 has changed" and that he planned to vote against the climate bill he had originally co-sponsored.
July 2010: Suggestion to Amend Birthright Citizenship
In July 2010, Lindsey Graham suggested amending the 14th Amendment to deny U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants in the United States.
November 6, 2010: Graham Calls for Preemptive Strike on Iran
On November 6, 2010, Lindsey Graham called for a preemptive military strike to weaken the Iranian regime.
December 2010: Graham Votes Against New START Treaty
In December 2010, Lindsey Graham was among 26 senators who voted against the ratification of New START, a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia.
2010: Voted Against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
In 2010, Lindsey Graham voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.
2010: Thornton Law Firm partners contributed to Graham's campaign
In 2010, the Thornton Law Firm's partners contributed to Lindsey Graham's campaign, which was later reimbursed by the firm.
2010: Immigration Reform Talks with Chuck Schumer
In early 2010, Lindsey Graham began working with Chuck Schumer on immigration reform, but the talks broke down later that year.
April 3, 2011: Suggestion to Limit Freedom of Speech
On April 3, 2011, Lindsey Graham suggested that Congress take formal action against the Koran-burning by Terry Jones and explore limiting some forms of freedom of speech, citing wartime restrictions.
August 2011: Graham Co-Sponsors Resolution Condemning Russian Aggression
In August 2011, Lindsey Graham co-sponsored a resolution that contended that "Russia's invasion of Georgian land in 2008 was an act of aggression".
2011: Kelly Ayotte Joins Graham's Group Advocating for American Military Intervention
In 2011, Kelly Ayotte joined the Senate and was considered Joe Lieberman's replacement in the group with Graham and McCain advocating for American military intervention.
2011: Graham Supports Continuing U.S. Military Presence in Iraq
In 2011, Lindsey Graham voiced his support for a continuing U.S. military presence in Iraq.
April 2012: Graham endorsed Mitt Romney for president in April 2012
In April 2012, after Rick Santorum withdrew from the race, Lindsey Graham endorsed Mitt Romney for president.
June 2012: Graham supports closing tax loopholes
In June 2012, Lindsey Graham, despite signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, supported closing tax loopholes without offsetting decreases in other tax revenue due to the national debt.
November 2012: Resumed Immigration Reform Talks with Schumer
In November 2012, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Schumer resumed their talks on comprehensive immigration reform.
2012: Graham Warns of Iraqi Instability Without US Troops
In 2012, Lindsey Graham warned that if the US was not smart enough to keep troops in Iraq, then the country would descend into chaos.
2012: Benghazi Attack
On January 29, 2013, Lindsey Graham said that Hillary Clinton "got away with murder" after her testimony about the 2012 Benghazi attack.
January 28, 2013: Part of Bipartisan Group Announcing Immigration Reform Principles
On January 28, 2013, Lindsey Graham was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators that announced principles for comprehensive immigration reform.
January 29, 2013: Graham Criticizes Clinton on Benghazi
On January 29, 2013, Lindsey Graham said that Hillary Clinton "got away with murder" after her testimony about the 2012 Benghazi attack.
February 2013: Improved approval rating
In February 2013, Graham's approval rating improved to 59% among likely Republican voters.
February 28, 2013: Graham Criticizes Budget Reduction Impact on Defense
On February 28, 2013, Lindsey Graham criticized Obama and both political parties for allowing budget reductions that would impact the Department of Defense, warning of a "hollow military".
March 2013: Introduced Bill on Gun Purchases and Insanity Defense
In March 2013, Lindsey Graham joined senators in introducing a bill to close a loophole by flagging individuals with an insanity defense who attempt to buy guns.
June 23, 2013: Senate Close to 70 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: Graham Suggests Boycott of 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 Seeking Sanctions for Asylum to Snowden
On July 25, 2013, Lindsey Graham's amendment seeking sanctions against any country offering asylum to Edward Snowden was unanimously adopted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations.
2013: Lieberman Retires from the Senate
In 2013, Joe Lieberman retired from the Senate, shortly after the influence of Graham, McCain, and Lieberman declined.
2013: Support for NSA Phone Record Collection
In 2013, in response to disclosures about the NSA's surveillance programs, Lindsey Graham expressed his support for the NSA collecting phone records, stating he was "glad" it was happening.
2013: Democrats changed Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote for nominees to United States courts of appeals
In 2013, years before his 2016 pledge, Democrats had changed Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote for nominees to United States courts of appeals.
July 2014: End of service as 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 considered presidential run if no one steps up
In October 2014, during his Senate reelection race, Lindsey Graham stated he might run for president if no one else addressed certain issues.
2014: Awarded Bronze Star Medal
In 2014, Graham was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.
2014: Primary challenge expected
In 2014, Graham was considered vulnerable to a primary challenge due to low approval ratings and a reputation for compromising with Democrats.
2014: Thornton Law Firm partners contributed to Graham's campaign
In 2014, the Thornton Law Firm's partners contributed to Lindsey Graham's campaign, which was later reimbursed by the firm.
2014: Graham Suggests Boycott of Sochi Olympics
On July 16, 2013, Lindsey Graham suggested that the United States should consider boycotting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
2014: Amendment to Fiscal Year 2014 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill
On July 25, 2013, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations unanimously adopted an amendment by Graham to the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill that sought sanctions against any country that offered asylum to former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
March 7, 2015: Graham advocated reversal of defense spending cuts
On March 7, 2015, at a "Politics and Pies" forum, Lindsey Graham advocated for reversing defense spending cuts and humorously suggested using the military to keep Congress in session until the issue was resolved.
March 2015: Graham Supports Saudi Intervention in Yemen
In March 2015, Lindsey Graham supported the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, emphasizing the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia against Iran.
April 19, 2015: Graham said he was 91% sure he would run for president
On April 19, 2015, Lindsey Graham stated he was "91% sure" he would run for president if he could raise the money.
May 18, 2015: Graham informally announced presidential run
On May 18, 2015, Lindsey Graham informally announced his presidential run, citing concerns about the world "falling apart."
June 1, 2015: Graham officially announced candidacy for President
On June 1, 2015, Lindsey Graham officially announced his candidacy for President of the United States.
June 17, 2015: Graham responds to Charleston church shooting
On June 17, 2015, after the mass shooting at a historic African American church in Charleston, Lindsey Graham canceled campaign events and addressed the Confederate flag issue, stating it was time for South Carolina to revisit its decision regarding the flag.
July 2015: Called Trump a "jackass"
In July 2015, Graham, as a presidential candidate, called Donald Trump a "jackass" for comments about John McCain, leading to a public dispute.
December 2015: Dropped Out of Presidential Race
In December 2015, Graham dropped out of the Republican nomination for president.
December 2015: Criticized Trump's proposed Muslim ban
In December 2015, Graham strongly criticized Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States.
December 21, 2015: Graham suspended his presidential campaign
On December 21, 2015, Lindsey Graham suspended his presidential campaign due to lack of support and poor polling.
2015: Retired from Air Force
In 2015, Graham retired from the Air Force with over 33 years of service.
2015: Graham and Trump Conflict
In 2015, Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump had conflicts that were later referenced by Graham in March 2017.
2015: Sponsored Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
In 2015, Lindsey Graham sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the Senate, banning abortion after 20 weeks of gestation.
2015: Graham Acknowledges Climate Change Reality
In 2015, Lindsey Graham stated he "completely understand[s] and accept[s]" that climate change is real, but questioned the role of human activity.
January 15, 2016: Graham endorsed Jeb Bush for president
On January 15, 2016, Lindsey Graham endorsed former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for president.
February 2016: Graham calls Trump a 'kook'
In February 2016, Lindsey Graham described Donald Trump as a "kook" and "crazy," deeming him unfit for office.
May 2016: Predicted destruction if Trump nominated
In May 2016, Graham tweeted that the Republican party would be "destroyed" and "deserve it" if they nominated Trump.
May 2016: Graham will not vote for Trump or Clinton
In May 2016, after Donald Trump appeared certain to become the Republican nominee, Lindsey Graham announced he would not vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton.
June 2016: Graham criticizes Trump's remarks about a judge
In June 2016, Lindsey Graham criticized Donald Trump's remarks about a judge of Mexican heritage, stating that Trump was "playing the race card" and that it was "very un-American." He suggested that Republicans should reconsider their support for Trump if he continued such attacks.
November 8, 2016: Graham voted for Evan McMullin
On November 8, 2016, Lindsey Graham announced that he had voted for Evan McMullin.
2016: Critic of Donald Trump's Candidacy
In 2016, Graham was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump's presidential candidacy.
2016: Russian interference in the 2016 election
In 2016, Lindsey Graham was involved in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
2016: Sister introduced Graham at presidential announcement
In 2016, Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, introduced him at his announcement of his candidacy for president.
2016: Graham's stance on filling Supreme Court vacancies
In 2016, after Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died, Republican senators boycotted Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland. Graham said that Supreme Court vacancies should never be filled in a presidential election year.
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 the Thornton Law Firm, a major Democratic donor facing scrutiny for questionable campaign donation habits.
2016: Manbij Military Council Liberates City From ISIS
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.
2016: Earlier stance
In September 2020, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lindsey Graham expressed support for the Senate immediately voting on Trump's nominee, a reversal of his earlier stance.
January 5, 2017: Graham Condemns Obama on UN Resolution
On January 5, 2017, Lindsey Graham condemned Obama for abstaining from UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building.
March 2017: Became Staunch Ally of Donald Trump
After a March 2017 meeting with Trump, Graham became a staunch ally of his, often issuing public statements in his defense.
March 2017: Graham meets with Trump
In March 2017, Lindsey Graham met with Donald Trump, and the meeting went so well that Graham gave Trump his new phone number, referencing their past conflicts.
March 2017: Voted for Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal
In March 2017, Lindsey Graham voted for the Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal, which allowed internet service providers to sell customers' browsing history without their permission.
October 2017: Graham and Trump play golf
In October 2017, Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump played golf together on multiple occasions, with Graham expressing praise for the first outing.
October 2017: Graham Calls for Expanded U.S. Military Role in Niger
In October 2017, following the Tongo Tongo ambush, Lindsey Graham called for an expanded role of the U.S. military in Niger and increased aggression toward enemies.
November 2017: Graham defends Trump against media criticism
In November 2017, Lindsey Graham criticized the media's reporting on Donald Trump, stating that the American press was endlessly attempting to label him as unfit to be president.
2017: Authored the Graham–Cassidy Amendment to Repeal Obamacare
In 2017, Lindsey Graham authored the Graham–Cassidy amendment to Republicans' efforts to repeal Obamacare, which would have given states permission to remove protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.
January 2018: Graham recommends charges against Christopher Steele
In January 2018, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley recommended charges against ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, who was named as the author of the Steele dossier, for allegedly lying to federal authorities.
April 2018: Graham supports Trump's reelection
In April 2018, Lindsey Graham publicly stated that he would support Donald Trump's reelection bid in 2020.
April 2018: Graham introduces legislation to limit Trump's ability to fire Mueller
In April 2018, Lindsey Graham, along with other senators, introduced the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act to limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller, allowing for judicial review of any dismissal.
May 2018: Voted Against Net Neutrality Legislation
In May 2018, Lindsey Graham voted against legislation that would have overturned the FCC's ruling and restored net neutrality.
July 2018: Graham Visits Manbij, Syria
In July 2018, Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited Manbij in Syria and met with the Manbij Military Council.
August 2018: Graham claims he has never heard Trump make racist statements
In August 2018, Lindsey Graham stated that he had never heard Donald Trump make a single racist statement.
October 2018: Graham on Supreme Court vacancies during Trump's term
In October 2018, Lindsey Graham stated that if a Supreme Court opening occurred in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process had started, they would wait until the next election to fill it.
November 2018: To become chair of Senate Judiciary Committee
In November 2018, it was announced that Graham would become chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
2018: Anti-Abortion Stance
In 2018, Lindsey Graham was anti-abortion, but said that Roe v. Wade is precedent that should not be overturned without good reason.
2018: Strong Stance on Kavanaugh Confirmation
In 2018, during Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Lindsey Graham opposed delaying the process due to Christine Blasey Ford's allegations of sexual assault, doubting her recollection of the events.
January 2019: Became Chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee
In January 2019, Graham became chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
January 2019: Graham urges Republican support for Trump
In January 2019, Lindsey Graham stated that Republicans must support Donald Trump's policies, warning that undermining the president would lead to the end of his presidency and the Republican party.
February 2019: Graham discusses his relationship with Trump
In February 2019, Lindsey Graham discussed his evolving relationship with Donald Trump in an interview, explaining that he was attempting "to be relevant" and gain influence within Trump's inner circle. He also mentioned that he liked Trump personally and played golf with him.
March 11, 2019: Graham Encourages Recognition of 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 passed in the House.
May 14, 2019: Graham faces scrutiny for encouraging Trump Jr. to ignore subpoena
On May 14, 2019, Lindsey Graham faced scrutiny, including from Senator Joe Manchin, after encouraging Donald Trump Jr. to ignore a subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee.
May 2019: Graham Calls for Military Invasion of Venezuela
In May 2019, Lindsey Graham called for a military invasion of Venezuela to overthrow Nicolás Maduro amid the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis.
May 2019: Proposed New Immigration Laws
In May 2019, Lindsey Graham proposed new immigration laws to restrict asylum applications and expedite deportations of unaccompanied children.
June 2019: Graham Votes to Block Trump's Saudi Arms Deal
In June 2019, Lindsey Graham was one of a few Republicans to vote against blocking Trump's Saudi arms deal.
June 25, 2019: Graham defends Trump's cooperation with Mueller investigation
On June 25, 2019, Lindsey Graham asserted that President Trump fully cooperated with the Mueller investigation, providing documents and access to personnel.
July 2019: Graham defends Trump against racism accusations
In July 2019, Lindsey Graham defended Donald Trump against accusations of racism, stating that he did not believe Trump's remarks about Democratic congresswomen were racist.
July 2019: Visit to Migrant Detention Center
In July 2019, Lindsey Graham visited a migrant detention center in Texas and stated it was "a facility overwhelmed", not "a concentration camp", and expressed his determination to keep certain migrants detained.
July 24, 2019: Graham questions the Mueller report
On July 24, 2019, after Robert Mueller's testimony to congressional committees, Lindsey Graham speculated that the Mueller report was "in name only."
October 8, 2019: Graham condemns Trump's Syria troop withdrawal
On October 8, 2019, Lindsey Graham condemned Donald Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, stating that it put the nation and his presidency at risk and lacked support from key national security advisors.
November 2019: Graham Blocks Armenian Genocide Resolution
In November 2019, Lindsey Graham initially blocked a Senate resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide.
December 2019: Graham Votes for Armenian Genocide Resolution
In December 2019, Lindsey Graham voted in favor of the resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide.
December 2019: Graham signals his decision on Trump's impeachment
In December 2019, as articles of impeachment against Trump moved to a vote, Lindsey Graham signaled that he had already made up his mind and would do everything he could to ensure the impeachment died quickly in the Senate.
2019: Chair of the Judiciary Committee
In 2019, Lindsey Graham became the chair of the Judiciary Committee.
May 2020: Comments on Supreme Court Nominee Confirmation
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, differentiating it from the Merrick Garland situation.
August 2020: Statement on Rule Changes Post-Kavanaugh Confirmation
In August 2020, Lindsey Graham stated that "[a]fter Kavanaugh's confirmation, the rules have changed as far as I'm concerned."
September 2020: Support for Immediate Vote on Ginsburg's Successor
In September 2020, following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lindsey Graham expressed support for the Senate immediately voting on Trump's nominee, a reversal of his earlier stance.
October 2020: Led Confirmation Hearings for Amy Coney Barrett
In October 2020, Graham led the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett.
2020: Graham supports challenging election results
After major news networks projected Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election, Lindsey Graham said that Donald Trump "should not concede" and suggested invalidating election results.
2020: Graham's call to Georgia Secretary of State
During the recount of the 2020 United States presidential election in Georgia, Lindsey Graham called the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to discuss the vote counting process, raising concerns about potential disqualification of mail-in ballots.
2020: Re-elected to Senate
In 2020, Graham defeated Jaime Harrison to win re-election to the Senate.
2020: Graham calls for investigation of voting irregularities
In 2020, Lindsey Graham issued a statement that "all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct be investigated to ensure the integrity of the 2020 elections", including an affidavit by Pennsylvania postal worker Richard Hopkins, which was later called into question.
2020: Graham Sponsors Growing Climate Solutions Act
In 2020, Lindsey Graham sponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aimed to simplify the process for farmers to sell carbon credits.
2020: Declined to Sign Amicus Brief on Roe v. Wade
In 2020, Lindsey Graham was one of 13 Republican senators who declined to sign an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
2020: Graham supports Trump's reelection
In April 2018, Lindsey Graham said that he would support Donald Trump's reelection in 2020.
2020: Trump endorsed Graham
In April 2024, Trump expressed regret for endorsing Graham in his 2020 Senate campaign.
2020: Graham's reelection prospects and Trump
In February 2019, Graham said that a good relationship with Trump would help his prospects of reelection to the Senate in 2020.
January 6, 2021: Graham acknowledges Biden's election after Capitol attack
On January 6, 2021, after the attack on the United States Capitol, Lindsey Graham spoke against delaying the election results and acknowledged that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were lawfully elected.
February 2021: Investigation into Graham's call to Raffensperger
In February 2021, it was reported that Fani Willis, the Fulton County, Georgia district attorney, was examining Lindsey Graham's phone call to Brad Raffensperger as part of a criminal investigation into possible efforts to illegally overturn Georgia's election results.
May 28, 2021: Graham votes against January 6 commission
On May 28, 2021, Lindsey Graham voted against creating the January 6 commission.
July 8, 2021: Graham Calls Biden's Afghanistan Withdrawal a "Disaster"
On July 8, 2021, Lindsey Graham criticized President Biden's plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, calling it a "disaster in the making."
August 2021: Report on Graham's call to Biden after election
In August 2021, The New York Times reported that Lindsey Graham called Joe Biden after the election, allegedly saying he had called for a special counsel investigation of Biden's son only to appease Trump supporters.
February 2022: Introduced Bipartisan Legislation on Child Sexual Abuse Material
In February 2022, Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize tech companies to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and remove blanket immunity for related law violations.
March 3, 2022: Graham Suggests Putin Assassination
On March 3, 2022, Lindsey Graham tweeted that "the only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out", referring to Vladimir Putin, sparking controversy.
May 2022: Advocated Overturning Roe to Allow State Decisions
In May 2022, Lindsey Graham advocated that the Supreme Court overturn Roe to ensure that "every state will decide if abortion is legal and on what terms".
June 2022: Assertion on Conservative Beliefs About Abortion Regulation
In June 2022, Lindsey Graham asserted that all conservatives "believed that there's nothing in the Constitution giving the federal government the right to regulate abortion".
August 2022: Statement on States Deciding the Issue of Abortion
In August 2022, Lindsey Graham said that "states should decide the issue of abortion" and that he had "been consistent" on this.
August 2022: Graham on Same-Sex Marriage
In August 2022, Lindsey Graham stated that individual "states should decide the issue of marriage" and opposed federal intervention in defining marriage.
September 2022: Introduced Federal Ban on Abortion After 15 Weeks
In September 2022, despite previous statements, Lindsey Graham introduced legislation to institute a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the patient.
2022: Reiterated support of the Defense of Marriage Act
Graham reiterated his support of the Defense of Marriage Act in 2022.
2022: Support for Bipartisan Gun Control Agreement
In 2022, Lindsey Graham was one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control, including red flag provisions and stronger background checks.
January 28, 2023: Graham appears at Trump's rally and supports him
On January 28, 2023, Lindsey Graham appeared at Donald Trump's rally and told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he would support Trump.
May 26, 2023: Edited Video of Graham Sparks Controversy
On May 26, 2023, an edited video of Lindsey Graham speaking to Volodymyr Zelenskyy was released, leading to criticism and a subsequent release of the unedited version.
May 29, 2023: Russia Issues Arrest Warrant for Graham
On May 29, 2023, the Russian Interior Ministry issued an arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham due to his comments about the war, which Graham responded to with "immense joy".
November 2023: Graham Co-Sponsors Foreign Pollution Fee Act
In November 2023, Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy co-sponsored the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, a bill proposing a carbon tariff on imports from countries with higher greenhouse gas emissions than the U.S.
2023: Graham votes against 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: Graham Ranked Highly for Bipartisanship
In 2023, the Lugar Center ranked Graham in the top third of senators for bipartisanship.
March 9, 2024: Graham Calls for Destruction of Palestinian School System
On March 9, 2024, Lindsey Graham claimed that Palestinian children are being taught to kill Jews and called for the destruction of the Palestinian school system.
April 2024: Graham criticizes Trump on abortion ban; Trump regrets endorsing Graham
In April 2024, Lindsey Graham criticized Donald Trump for not supporting a federal abortion ban. In response, Trump expressed regret for endorsing Graham in his 2020 Senate campaign.
May 2024: Graham on accepting election results
In May 2024, when asked whether he would accept the results of the presidential election, Graham said he would "if there's no massive cheating".
July 2024: Graham reacts to Biden's decision not to seek reelection
In July 2024, after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection, Graham said he wished Biden well and that he "appreciate[d] his lifelong service to our nation".
September 2024: Graham lobbies for Nebraska electoral vote change
In September 2024, Lindsey Graham lobbied Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen to call a special session to adopt a winner-take-all electoral vote system in order to prevent Kamala Harris from receiving the state's one electoral college vote typically won by Democrats.
October 2024: Graham criticizes Harris and Biden's immigration policy
In October 2024, Lindsey Graham said Republican voters who supported Harris were supporting "the most radical nominee in history of American politics" and argued that the Biden-Harris immigration policy was a larger "danger to this country" than Trump's rhetoric.
2024: Graham calls Trump's 2024 election victory 'the biggest comeback in American history'
In 2024, Graham called Trump's 2024 election victory "the biggest comeback in American history".
2024: Graham Campaigns for Trump
Throughout the 2024 election, Graham campaigned and publicly advocated for Trump on news programs like Meet The Press and called on other Republican politicians to campaign for Trump.
January 14, 2025: Announced lead officials for reelection campaign
On January 14, 2025, Graham announced lead officials for his 2026 reelection campaign and reported significant fundraising.
January 2025: Graham disagrees with some of Trump's first actions as president
In January 2025, Lindsey Graham took issue with several of Donald Trump's first actions as president, including pardons for January 6 defendants, removing security details for former officials, and firing Inspectors General.
2026: Future Reelection Campaign
In January 14, 2025, Graham announced lead officials for his 2026 reelection campaign.
