Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Voting Record Facing Scrutiny
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has a long history of supporting liberal judicial and administrative nominees, a factor that might complicate his bid for a new five-year term in the Senate.
Graham often appears on Fox News, where he praises President Donald Trump’s strategies while also nudging the administration towards neoconservative ideals. Yet, his track record of backing candidates who later became sources of contention for Trump paints a different picture.
He voted in favor of President Joe Biden’s nominee, Merrick Garland for Attorney General, as well as Lisa Monaco as Deputy Attorney General.
Both played significant roles in legislation that targeted Trump, his relatives, and his associates.
Graham’s decision to endorse judges appointed by Democrats, like James Boasberg, is something conservatives may rue for years, especially given its implications for Trump’s legislative efforts.
Recent reports indicate that Graham also supported Judge Ann Traum’s confirmation to the U.S. District Court for Nevada, despite her controversial history of leniency towards child sex offenders.
In doing so, he broke ranks with other Republicans, joining Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Traum’s confirmation came down to a tight vote of 49-47, with Graham’s support playing a pivotal role, although the Vice President’s tie-breaking vote could have been needed had some Republicans not sided against him.
Before his confirmation, Traum stirred controversy during her hearing, notably dodging a question from Senator John Kennedy about whether illegal activities should ever be tolerated under the guise of social justice.
Moreover, it has been reported that Graham, along with Collins and Senator John Cornyn, voted for 12 additional judges appointed by Biden, judges poised to hinder Trump’s policies on immigration and other significant issues.
Graham additionally supported three other justices who also played a role in obstructing Trump’s agenda.
One of the most prominent figures obstructing Trump’s initiatives, Boasberg was appointed by Barack Obama and received backing from Graham during his confirmation process.
In recent years, these justices moved quickly to challenge Trump’s actions following his second term’s commencement.
Interestingly, Graham’s support has extended to more controversial figures, like Brendan Abel Herson, who faced significant backlash for decisions that negatively impacted Trump’s administration, particularly concerning transgender policies.
Graham also confirmed Lauren King as a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Washington, someone who, along with Herson, blocked Trump’s efforts to restrict surgeries for children.
As Graham faces perhaps the toughest challenge of his career, running against Mark Lynch—who has significant backing from conservative circles and is personally investing millions in his campaign—the stakes are high. With a recent poll suggesting Lynch may have a viable shot at unseating him, Graham’s long career, which began with his election to the House in 1994, could be drawing to a close. For conservative constituents in South Carolina, Graham’s presence on Fox News might soon become a distant memory.
