What is Lindsey Graham's Legacy?

Media across the political spectrum did not hesitate to offer varying criticisms of Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and his legacy after the US senator's sudden passing on Saturday night.

'Serving Those Who Served Us': "Lindsey didn't just talk a big game about supporting our troops," wrote US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz in an opinion for New York Post (Right bias). "He backed up every word… Regardless of party, Sen. Graham was fearless in asking hard questions to ensure we were serving those who served us… [He] did not particularly care if it ruffled feathers or whose ointment he'd be the fly in." Waltz, a friend of Graham, framed the senator as a "relentless champion" for South Carolina and one of the US military's "fiercest advocates." He wrote, "[Graham] was clear-eyed about America's enemies, fiercely protective of the constitutional chain of command and unwilling to let Washington legislate away our future."

'Complicated, Often Bloody': Graham was a "leading neoconservative hawk whose political career came full circle in the Middle East over two decades," according to The Guardian (Left). He reportedly "reassured more traditional Republican foreign policy hawks but caused unrest in the 'Make America Great Again' movement." The outlet juxtaposed Graham's support for the 2003 Iraq War, opposition to the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), and recent support for American overthrow of Iran, framing the senator as "one of the most persuasive voices in encouraging [President Donald] Trump to go to war."

A 'Template' For Practical Wisdom: "Populists should learn from the late senator," wrote Sohrab Ahmari (not rated) in an opinion for UnHerd (Center). "A more restrained foreign policy won't succeed unless the restrainers master Graham's arts." Ahmari, a self-proclaimed "restrainer," said the senator's "practical wisdom" landed him "closer to the truth of politics [than] most of his enemies… He could disagree with Trump – over his Syria withdrawal, the Afghan drawdown, and the Ukraine war – without blowing up the relationship. And during [Trump's] second term, his proximity allowed him to push for the hawks' holy grail: a full-on war with Iran." The writer framed Graham as a "masterful" manager of both Trump and the direction of funding to South Carolina. He wrote, "Perhaps most crucially, Graham stood for a comprehensive account of why American power is good, and what its exercise on the world stage is meant for… He was as wise as a serpent, if too far from the innocence of a dove."

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Initial Responses: Media outlets across the political spectrum highlighted Graham's conversion from staunch Trump critic to strong supporter and golf partner; outlets on the right framed the relationship as more diplomatic, while outlets on the left framed it as more chummy. Some world leaders, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offered favorable condolences; meanwhile, influencers Nick Fuentes (Right) and Ana Kasparian (not rated) said "good riddance," and an Iranian state television anchor declared, "I congratulate the great nation of Iran on Lindsey Graham, the warmongering and anti-Iranian US senator, having gone to hell."

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