Emergency response audio revealed that first responders attended to reports of cardiac arrest at Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Washington, D.C., home on Saturday night. This was before his office confirmed his death early Sunday morning.
The initial call for help came shortly after 8 p.m. local time, leading paramedics to Graham’s residence. The dispatcher indicated that the front door was supposed to be unlocked; however, upon arrival, responders found it locked and received no response from inside. Subsequently, they called for assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department for forced entry.
About 20 to 25 minutes after the first dispatch, radio traffic communicated that CPR was in progress while paramedics worked on the scene. The audio did not specify Graham by name or detail the condition of the patient.
Further communications suggested that the event would be treated as a matter for the Capitol Police only. The last relevant radio updates came through just after 9:30 p.m.
Following the incident, Graham’s office announced his passing at the age of 71 due to a “short and sudden” illness. They expressed appreciation for the public’s prayers and requested privacy during this challenging time.
According to the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, preliminary findings indicated that Graham’s death resulted from aortic dissection associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It was noted that the death certificate would be withheld until toxicology and further examinations were completed.
In a touching online tribute, President Donald Trump referred to Graham as a “true American patriot” and emphasized his commitment to public service. Graham had an extensive career, having been elected to the Senate in 2002 and previously serving in the House of Representatives. He was chair of the Senate Budget Committee and was in office for several significant political milestones.
Just days prior, he had met with Ukrainian President Volodyr Zelenskiy and was preparing for an appearance on “Meet the Press.” Outside of his political career, Graham was also a veteran with a notable service record in the U.S. Air Force, holding the rank of colonel upon his retirement in 2015.
