The United States Senator Lindsey Graham, the veteran Republican lawmaker representing South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness.

Graham's office announced his passing in a statement released on Saturday, saying the longtime senator died after a "brief and sudden illness." The statement did not disclose the cause of death but said his family had requested privacy as they mourn their loss.

A prominent figure in American politics, Graham served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades after first being elected in 2002. Before joining the Senate, he represented South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives and built a reputation as a leading voice on national security, foreign policy, and judicial matters.

Although he was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Graham later became one of the president's closest allies in Congress, playing a key role in advancing the administration's legislative and foreign policy agenda.

His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders across the United States and around the world, who described him as an influential statesman and dedicated public servant whose career left a lasting mark on American politics.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.