The federal bureau of investigation conducted a search of late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Capitol Hill home on Monday, less than 48 hours after the South Carolina Republican died at age 71 from an aortic dissection.
At least six men and two women in FBI gear were observed at Graham’s row house in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., according to footage from Monday. An FBI agent entered the home after a U.S. Marshals Service official exited it, and two agents wearing blue and yellow FBI windbreakers entered separately while others retrieved a manila folder from a large black container outside.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Sunday that the bureau is “assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available” in the wake of Graham’s death. The Metropolitan Police Department is leading the investigation, with the federal bureau of investigation providing resources and support, according to a law enforcement source.
Graham died Saturday evening after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” The D.C. Medical Examiner’s office preliminarily determined the cause was aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, comprehensive toxicological and microscopic testing is underway and will “take time” to complete, according to a joint statement from the medical examiner and Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll.
The senator had returned from a trip to Ukraine and NATO summit in Turkey on Friday, July 11, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toured a drone factory. His sudden death came just hours after his arrival home.
Patel’s announcement that the federal bureau of investigation was assisting sparked questions about the nature of the involvement, with some observers noting the timing and the senator’s recent international travel. Trump said Monday he does not know why the federal bureau of investigation is looking into Graham’s death, telling reporters the agency is “wasting their time” if they are pursuing conspiracy theories.
Graham had served in the Senate since 2003 and was a close political ally of President Donald Trump. His death leaves a vacant Senate seat that South Carolina’s governor has already moved to fill, appointing Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to the position.
Sources
- The Hill — FBI personnel visited Graham’s Capitol Hill home; at least six men and two women in FBI gear observed; Kash Patel statement on FBI assistance; Metropolitan Police Department leading investigation with FBI providing resources; toxicological testing underway
- NBC News — Graham’s death on Saturday evening; preliminary cause of death as aortic dissection; Graham’s return from Ukraine trip
- Washington Post — Preliminary medical examiner’s report confirming aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Graham’s death hours after returning from Ukraine; Trump’s statement
- CNN — Trump statement that FBI is “wasting their time” on Graham death investigation
- The Independent — Kash Patel confirmation of FBI assistance; Graham died from brief and sudden illness
