Senator Lindsey Graham Dies Suddenly After Ukraine Trip Pushing Russian Sanctions
"Putin's had an arrest warrant issued because there's no rule of law in Russia. People fall out of windows who are opposition leaders. People get poisoned. There is no rule of law in Russia."
About this episode
Host Dave Rubin covers the sudden death of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham at age 71, just hours after returning from Ukraine where he pushed for additional Russian sanctions against the backdrop of ongoing U.S.-Iran military conflict. Graham, who died from aortic dissection, had spoken with President Trump shortly before his death about the SAVE Act, appearing completely healthy the day prior. Trump called Graham's defense of Brett Kavanaugh during confirmation hearings one of the top moments in Senate history and mourned the loss of a loyal friend. The episode examines suspicious timing given Graham's foreign policy activism and recent targeting at Khomeini's funeral. Rubin also covers Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pardoning an illegal immigrant convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, preventing ICE deportation until federal authorities intervened. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration attempted unauthorized contact with Iran's IRGC-linked UN ambassador, prompting State Department intervention. The Trump administration announced formal designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization with international coordination. Mamdani also released an immigrant enclave map erasing Little Italy, Jewish communities, and other historical neighborhoods while highlighting recent arrivals, sparking backlash from Italian-American residents. The show discusses ongoing Iran strikes after Tehran violated a temporary ceasefire agreement, Mitch McConnell's continued absence from the Senate with questions about his health and his wife's China trip during his hospitalization, and Democratic positioning for the 2028 presidential race.
Key takeaways
- South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly at 71 hours after returning from Ukraine pushing Russian sanctions, with Trump mourning a loyal friend who defended Brett Kavanaugh in what he called a top 5 Senate moment
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pardoned an illegal immigrant convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl to prevent ICE deportation until federal authorities intervened and deported him anyway
- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's International Affairs Commissioner attempted unauthorized meeting with Iran's IRGC-linked UN ambassador before State Department canceled it and reprimanded the official
- Trump administration formally designated Antifa as terrorist organization with international coordination after State Department spokesman said multiple countries proactively reached out citing similar problems
- Mamdani administration released NYC immigrant enclave map including Little Palestine and Little Yemen but erasing Little Italy, Jewish communities, and Greek neighborhoods despite their century-long presence building the city
- U.S. launched third round of strikes against Iran after Tehran violated temporary ceasefire by attacking Cyprus-flagged container ship in Strait of Hormuz with Trump saying they had a deal two hours before the attack
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released first photo and statement after weeks-long absence citing fall, brief unconsciousness, and pneumonia while his wife Elaine Chao traveled to China to meet vice president during his hospitalization