Senator AS Lindsey Graham Meninggal Dunia Akibat Penyakit Mendadak

Senator senior Amerika Serikat dari Partai Republik, Lindsey Graham, meninggal dunia pada usia 71 tahun setelah menderita penyakit singkat yang mendadak pada Sabtu, 11 Juli 2026 malam waktu setempat.

Kabar duka mengenai wafatnya perwakilan dari South Carolina tersebut dikonfirmasi langsung oleh pihak kantor resminya melalui sebuah pernyataan resmi.

"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness," kata pihak kantor Lindsey Graham.

Pihak keluarga meminta masyarakat untuk memberikan ruang privasi dan dukungan doa di masa-masa sulit ini.

"Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," ujar pihak kantor Lindsey Graham melalui pernyataan yang diunggah di akun media sosialnya.

Sebelum dinyatakan wafat, Graham baru saja menyelesaikan kunjungan kerja ke Ukraina dan sempat bertemu dengan Presiden Volodymyr Zelenskyy di Kyiv pada hari Jumat.

"A good meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham in Kyiv. This is already my tenth visit to your country, and we appreciate this support," tulis Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Presiden Ukraina melalui platform X.

Zelenskyy mengapresiasi dukungan Graham serta komitmen bipartisan dari kongres AS untuk memperkuat posisi militer dan pertahanan udara Ukraina.

"Thank you, Lindsey, for recognizing our warriors. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the greater the chances that diplomacy will eventually be able to work. And right now, it is important to strengthen our long-range sanction pressure on Russia with new sanction steps from our partners.

Lindsey informed me about the work in Congress on the relevant bill. We also discussed urgent needs for air defense to protect our people. During the NATO summit in Ankara, the US President and I reached political agreements regarding licenses for the production of "Patriots" in Ukraine.

It is very important to now implement all of this at the operational level. Thank you to the United States, the President, and Congress for bipartisan and consistent bicameral support," tambah Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sepanjang karier politiknya, Graham menjabat di House of Representatives sejak 1994 sebelum terpilih masuk ke Senat pada 2002, di mana ia tengah mengincar masa jabatan kelimanya pada pemilu November mendatang.

Gubernur South Carolina, Henry McMaster, menyatakan rasa kehilangan yang mendalam atas kepergian figur yang dinilainya tidak tergantikan tersebut.

"Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend," kata Henry McMaster.

Graham yang juga seorang purnawirawan kolonel Angkatan Udara AS dikenal sebagai politisi yang memiliki pandangan politik luar negeri yang keras.

Hubungan politik Graham dengan Donald Trump di masa lalu dipenuhi dinamika, di mana ia sempat menjadi kritikus paling vokal saat mencalonkan diri sebagai presiden pada 2016 sebelum akhirnya berbalik menjadi sekutu terdekat Trump.

"If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed … and we will deserve it," kata Lindsey Graham via Twitter pada masa kampanye 2016.

Meski sempat goyah akibat peristiwa kerusuhan Capitol Hill pada 6 Januari 2021, Graham tetap memberikan dukungannya kepada Trump di persidangan pemakzulan serta dalam pemilu presiden 2024.

"Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey – I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president but today, first thing you’ll see.

All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough," ujar Lindsey Graham saat merespons peristiwa kerusuhan di Capitol Hill.

Kepergian Graham juga memicu gelombang duka dari para pemimpin negara sekutu AS, termasuk Israel yang menganggapnya sebagai salah satu pembela terkuat di Washington.

Menteri Keamanan Nasional Israel, Itamar Ben-Gvir, menyampaikan bahwa Israel kehilangan salah satu sahabat terbaiknya yang selalu memberikan kejelasan moral.

"Today, Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. Senator Lindsey Graham stood with Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right. His unwavering support, courage, and moral clarity earned him the admiration of millions of Israelis," tutur Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Mantan Perdana Menteri Israel, Naftali Bennett, turut memberikan penghormatan atas keberanian Graham yang mendampingi Israel di masa-masa sulit.

"America has lost a devoted patriot, and Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. Lindsey stood with Israel through our darkest hours, with courage," sebut Naftali Bennett.

Menteri Pertahanan Israel, Israel Katz, menggarisbawahi upaya Graham dalam memperkuat aliansi strategis antara Israel dan Amerika Serikat.

"Over the years, Senator Graham stood by Israel in its most difficult moments, worked tirelessly to strengthen the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States, and was a steadfast voice in support of Israel's security and its right to defend itself. His repeated visits during one of the darkest chapters in Israel's history reflected his deep commitment to the Jewish state and its right to live in peace and security," jelas Israel Katz.