Montana's U.S. Senate delegation is mourning the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, with Senators Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines remembering the South Carolina Republican as a dedicated public servant, a Trump ally, and influential voice after his sudden death Saturday at 71.
“Lindsey Graham was an American patriot who dedicated his life to serving this great nation,” Sheehy wrote on social media platform X on Sunday. “He was a generous friend to me and I will miss him greatly. His death is a loss for our republic. Rest in peace, Lindsey.
Sheehy later reposted a video clip from Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 confirmation hearing, with Graham condemning the process. The video was uploaded by Lawrence O'Connor, an American talk radio host on WMAL-FM in Washington, D.C., and a frequent television guest on the Fox News shows.
Sheehy also reposted a tweet from Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy on Monday, largely lauding Graham in the context of his positive relationship with President Donald Trump after being Trump’s political opponent during the 2016 Republican Primary.
“I cannot describe to you how much joy President Trump’s leadership and friendship brought to Lindsey,” Miller wrote. “Lindsey was a senator’s senator.”
Later Monday, Sheehy reposted a tweet from John LeFevre, a former Salomon Brothers, Citigroup investment banker, and bond syndicate executive. Although he “often criticized” Graham, LeFevre admitted in the post that he didn’t learn the senator’s full story until after he died.
“Orphaned young, he adopted and raised his little sister —(he) grew up dirt poor, racking balls in his parents pool hall,” LeFevre wrote. “He joined the Air Force. Served 33 years. Retired a Colonel —Then spent decades in Congress, earning respect across the aisle. RIP to a self-made American original.’
Referencing a public and media backlash when photos surfaced of Graham vacationing at Walt Disney World in March, LeFevre speculated in his post that was a trip for Graham’s nieces.
The images, including one of Graham carrying a “Little Mermaid” bubble wand, drew significant criticism as they occurred while Congress was in recess and during a partial government shutdown causing air travel delays. Graham defended the excursion, saying that he was in South Florida for business meetings regarding Saudi-Israeli normalization and made a brief stop at the theme park afterward. Graham later clarified that the bubble wand was not for himself, but for a friend's daughter.
“Thank you for having the decency to admit that you can disagree with someone but still recognize they are a good person,” Sheehy wrote. The Senate and the country are worse off without Lindsey.”
“Lindsey Graham was a close friend and patriot who served his country in the Air Force and Congress,” Daines posted on the platform on Sunday. “He believed deeply in the cause of freedom both at home and abroad and advocated for it fiercely. Cindy and I join the nation today in mourning Lindsey’s passing.”
Governor Greg Gianforte ordered flags at half-staff honoring Graham on Sunday in alignment with a proclamation from President Donald Trump.
“I herby order all flags in the State of Montana to be flown at half-staff until Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. to honor the life of Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina,” the proclamation reads. “I invite all Montanans to join me and Susan in honoring the senator for his dedicated public service and praying for his family during this difficult time.”