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The South Carolina senator has been one of the biggest champions of the US military operations in the Middle East
Mike Bedigan in New York Sunday 12 April 2026 00:02 BST- Bookmark
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Lindsey Graham dodged questions about whether the ongoing war in Iran will hurt Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
The South Carolina senator, who has been one of the biggest champions of the U.S. military operations in the Middle East, trotted out previous party lines on the conflict, even when asked directly by Fox News’ Bret Baier
“Do you think this war that we’re in, and this fight over ICE, is hurting reelection chances for Republicans in the fall?” Baier said during the interview on Saturday.
“I think President Trump is stopping a homicidal maniac regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and if you don’t treat them that way, you’ve missed a lot in the last 47 years,” Graham replied.
“And if we can get a deal, let’s do it.”
open image in galleryU.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to members of the media as the Trump Cabinet briefs members of Congress on Iran at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026 in Washington, DC (Getty)The senator has been one of the most vocal supporters of the president’s campaign, nicknamed Operation Epic Fury, and has long expressed a public desire to see military operations in Iran.
Since the campaign began, he has continued to heap constant praise on the president and Israeli forces and threatened other countries in the wider Arab region who have not struck Iran, as well as Cuba and even Spain.
His ardor has been so intense that it even prompted a Republican congresswoman to challenge him to go and fight in Iran himself.
“There are some in the Senate that advocate for war everywhere. Lindsey Graham is one of them. He does NOT tell the President what to do, nor does he control Congress,” Anna Paulina Luna wrote on X last month.
open image in galleryThe senator has been one of the most vocal supporters of president Donald Trump’s campaign, nicknamed Operation Epic Fury, and had long-since expressed a public desire to see military operations in Iran (AP)“If Senator Graham wants to go fight in a foreign conflict, let him be the first to volunteer.”
Despite Graham’s positivity, polls show that Donald Trump’s approval rating has been declining steadily over the last several months and particularly following the start of the war on February 28, which has resulted in the deaths of numerous U.S. service members and a heavy impact on domestic fuel prices.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil trade flows, has sent the price of fuel skyrocketing and affected gas prices in the U.S.
According to the Cook Political Report, the GOP would need to win 76 percent of seats that are currently considered uncertain in order to keep control of its slim majority in the House.
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