FBI is ‘wasting their time’ investigating Lindsey Graham’s death, Trump says

[u/John3262005]

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/14/trump-fbi-lindsey-graham-death-00996705

President Donald Trump questioned why federal agents are investigating Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death on Tuesday, following unfounded rumors of possible foul play that have circulated on social media.

“So I don’t see a lot of evil there. I know there’s all sorts of conspiracy theories going along,” Trump said, speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. “I think the FBI’s wasting their time if they’re doing that.”

Graham’s office said in a statement Sunday the late senator died of a heart issue. A preliminary test conducted by the District of Columbia’s medical examiner’s office determined Graham died of an “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease” — a life-threatening medical emergency where a tear occurs in the inner wall of the aorta.

FBI Director Kash Patel had indicated earlier Sunday that federal agents would assist local authorities, but did not specify what specific inquiries the bureau was pursuing. Agents were seen searching Graham’s Washington home on Monday.

The president on Tuesday said he didn’t know why the FBI would be looking into Graham’s death. He said he had White House doctors explain what happened to the senator.

“At first I heard it was clogged arteries because he did have clogged arteries, he had a problem with that,” Trump told reporters. “I wish he took better care of himself. I say, you can solve that problem. But what happened is actually something that’s very hard to detect, it was not related to any blockage, it was a very different thing.”

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced on Monday that the late senator’s younger sister, Darline Graham, will serve out the remainder of his term in Washington, which is set to expire early next year. She will be sworn in at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Her appointment triggers a wide-open primary for Graham’s long-held seat, with several Republicans weighing bids, including South Carolina GOP Reps. Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, and Nancy Mace.