Senator Lindsey Graham reportedly delayed seeking medical attention until after his scheduled appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." According to reports, Graham told a person that he was feeling unwell, but wanted to wait until after his TV appearance to get help.
Graham's conversation with an unnamed person took place after he had a call with President Donald Trump. When the person urged him to seek medical attention, Graham reportedly said he'd wait until after his "Meet the Press" appearance on Sunday.
In what may have been his final conversation, Graham expressed concerns about his unfinished work, stating, "I can't die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization."
Graham's office released a preliminary cause of death on Sunday evening, stating that the longtime lawmaker had died from "aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease." Aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when a tear occurs in the inner wall of the aorta, the body's main artery.
The death certificate will be updated once all toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized. Graham's office confirmed that the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and classify the manner of death.
President Donald Trump believed he may have been the last person to speak with Graham before his death. Trump received a message about 1 in the morning from one of Graham's staff members, informing him of the senator's passing.
Graham had several top priorities before his death, including laying the groundwork to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. He had also renewed backing from the White House for levying sanctions against Russia to cripple its war machine.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen said Graham's death should spur the passage of their Russia sanctions package. Shaheen traveled with Graham overseas and remembered his legacy and the causes he fought for.
Graham's death leaves a power vacuum in the Senate and a scramble to replace him in South Carolina. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman are both eyeing the seat and possible bids for the GOP nomination in the forthcoming special election.
Graham's passing may also jeopardize elements of Trump's agenda, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act, nominations, and the SAVE America Act, which Graham strongly supported.
