Blog
Dec 02 2024
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after meeting with President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi.
“Great meeting with Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi. She is an old friend, an exceptional nominee, and in my view the right person at the right time to take on the task of being the next Attorney General of the United States. I look forward to the confirmation hearing. Well done, Mr. President.”
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Nov 26 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today issued the following statement regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
“I am very pleased to hear that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been reached regarding the conflict in Lebanon.
“Well done to all those involved in reaching this agreement.
“I appreciate the hard work of the Biden Administration, supported by President Trump, to make this ceasefire a reality.
“This ceasefire will protect Israel from another October 7th and will give the people of Lebanon a break from the fighting.
“My hope is that we can soon achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and allow peaceful solutions to replace endless conflict.”
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Nov 22 2024
Nov 20 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today released a statement on Jose Ibarra being found guilty of murdering Laken Riley.
“The court has spoken. Jose Ibarra has been found guilty of brutally murdering Laken Riley. The evidence is overwhelming. This case should be a reminder to all Americans how irresponsible the Biden Administration has been when it comes to illegal immigration. Ibarra was in U.S. custody for being an illegal immigrant. However, he was paroled into the U.S. and set free – not for an urgent humanitarian reason or because he provided a significant public benefit to our country, but simply because there was no space to keep him detained.
“His release violated the parole statute and set in motion the death of Laken Riley. The system created by President Biden and his team has been a lethal disaster for the American people, from the emergence of criminal gangs and the rise in suspected terrorists coming across our border to the rape and murder of our citizens.
“I will do everything in my power as Budget Committee Chairman to give President Trump the money and tools he needs to secure our border and immediately deport those in our country illegally. We have to secure our border and reform our immigration system. Our national security is very much at risk.”
Background:
Laken Riley’s murderer, Jose Ibarra, entered the country illegally. Ibarra was detained, but the Biden Administration confirmed to Graham that they released Ibarra into the United States through an illegal use of immigration parole. Ibarra was arrested for committing another crime, but subsequently released before ultimately murdering Laken Riley.
In March, Graham and U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) introduced the Laken Riley Act, which would require ICE to arrest and detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses, and mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States so they cannot re-offend and commit further crimes.
In May, Graham made a unanimous consent request to call for the Senate to immediately pass the Laken Riley Act. It was blocked by Senate Democrats.
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Nov 20 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today issued this statement after a meeting with President Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
“I had a very good meeting with President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, and Vice President-elect JD Vance. I am committed to allowing the process to go forward in a manner consistent with past practices and fundamental fairness. This process will not be a rubber stamp nor will it be driven by a lynch mob.
“My record is clear. I tend to defer to presidential cabinet choices unless the evidence suggests disqualification.
“I fear the process surrounding the Gaetz nomination is turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true. I have seen this movie before.
“I would urge all of my Senate colleagues, particularly Republicans, not to join the lynch mob and give the process a chance to move forward. After years of being investigated by the Department of Justice, no charges were brought against Matt Gaetz. This is something we should all remember.
“I would also urge my colleagues to go back to a time-tested process, receive relevant information, and give the nominee a chance to make their case as to why they should be confirmed. This standard – which I have long adhered to – has served the Senate and country well.”
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Nov 14 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the right of the duly elected President of the United States to nominate cabinet officials and Article III judges, and make executive appointments.
“With respect to Presidents’ prerogative to nominate their cabinet and federal judges, the best indication of what I will do in the future is what I have done in the past. I have strived to be consistent over the arc of time and respected the fact that elections have consequences.
“My role as a United States Senator is different than that of the President. Winning an election allows the President to pick their cabinet, make executive appointments and nominate federal judges for lifetime seats. When you look at my history regarding these matters, you will find that I honor this concept.
“Every nominee will have to acquit themselves well during the confirmation process by answering difficult questions and having their actions scrutinized. This process should be the same for every nominee. In the past, Democrats have, on occasion, abused the confirmation process. If I believe this is happening again, I will speak out loudly.
“Generally speaking, I vote for confirmation regardless of party or personal feelings because that is my Constitutional role as a Senator. I will do the same for President Trump’s nominees.
“The American people have spoken loudly, and President Trump won decisively. I consider this matter closed.”
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Nov 13 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) being elected to serve as Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
“My colleague and dear friend Tim Scott was elected unanimously to be the NRSC Chairman for the 2026 election cycle.
“Steve Daines did an outstanding job giving us the majority in the Senate. My colleagues and I have every confidence in Tim’s ability to build on what Senator Daines accomplished.
“The 2026 cycle will be challenging for Republicans, but we are in good hands with Tim.
“He knows how to inspire people, and he is a dedicated, loyal conservative. Tim makes South Carolina proud.”
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Nov 13 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) being elected to serve as Senate Majority Leader for the 119th Congress.
“The Senate Republican Conference has a deep and talented bench. Days like this remind me how blessed we are as Republicans to have so many gifted senators. Every nomination speech and candidate speech was outstanding. I’ve never been more proud of my colleagues than I am today.
“I supported Senator Thune as Leader, but I have great respect for Senator Cornyn and Senator Scott. They both acquitted themselves well.
“Senator Thune and I have been close friends since our days in the House of Representatives. John is smart, focused, reliable, and cares about others. I’ve found him to be one of the most decent men I’ve ever met and he has a terrific family.
“John’s leadership skills are sharp and his dedication to our great country is steadfast. He will be an important ally to Speaker Johnson. Finally, when it comes to enacting the Make America Great Again Agenda, President Trump will have no better ally than Majority Leader John Thune.”
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Nov 08 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, announced he would step down from the position.
“Throughout my time in Congress, I have tried to be a good friend and ally to Israel because I believe our fates are intertwined. I make frequent trips to Israel to understand the situation on the ground, their needs, and what the United States can do to promote a strong and secure Israel. Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, has been one of the most effective voices for the state of Israel I’ve ever known. Michael enjoyed the trust and support of both sides of the aisle, and his word was his bond. He has been instrumental in meeting Israel’s needs during this traumatic time in the history of the Jewish State.
“As a retired military officer, he understands duty, honor and sacrifice. He has established himself as one of the most trusted representatives from the region and is admired across the board. He has worked very hard to advance normalization efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel, building on the successes of the Abraham Accords.
“Ambassador Herzog and his wife, Shirin, have a deep understanding and appreciation for the United States. They have worked tirelessly to promote and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, and over the past three years, both have become my dear friends. They should be proud of what they accomplished representing Israel in Washington.
“Michael and Shirin will be missed, but I am certain they will both continue to contribute to fostering the ties between the United States and Israel.”
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Nov 04 2024
In Case You Missed It
Editorial: Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates
A bipartisan group of Senators put The Hague on notice for its lawless campaign against Israel.
Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates
By The Editorial Board
The Wall Street Journal
November 1, 2024
The International Criminal Court has been warned. In a letter on Friday, six U.S. Senators—three Republicans and three Democrats—implored the ICC’s overseer “to investigate the highly irregular and potentially illegal actions by the Prosecutor” in targeting Israel’s leaders.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), Ben Cardin (D., Md.), John Thune (R., S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and John Fetterman (D., Pa.) wrote to the Assembly of States Parties with “two grave concerns.”
First, prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan didn’t comply with the law in applying for arrest warrants. The Senators relate how Mr. Khan misled them that he would “meaningfully engage with the State of Israel,” as required by the court’s Rome Statute, “before any action was taken.” Instead he stiffed the Israelis and announced his application for arrest warrants on CNN.
Second, “there is a cloud hanging over the Prosecutor and his office” from sexual-harassment allegations, suppressed shortly before Mr. Khan requested the arrest warrants and thereafter. We’ve reported on those allegations, which have since gained steam from an Associated Press investigation.
Mr. Khan has implied in response that this is all an Israeli conspiracy, which doesn’t put to rest questions of bias. The ICC staff union doesn’t trust the court’s internal watchdog to investigate and has called for “a prompt, independent and thorough investigation led by an external panel.”
The Senators write, “Any action by the Court regarding arrest warrants for Israeli officials without the benefit of a completed investigation into the serious allegations hanging over Prosecutor Khan would cast doubt on the Court’s actions, and jeopardize the credibility of the ICC more broadly.” That’s sensible, but the ICC faces pressure from anti-Israel groups and states to tar Israel with the arrest warrants, probably soon after the U.S. election.
All of this is a danger to America. Today the court is after Israel, which doesn’t belong to the ICC, for actions in Gaza, which isn’t a state, in a defensive war against terrorists. Tomorrow the ICC could do the same to the U.S., another nonmember. The ICC still hasn’t closed its investigation of the Afghanistan war, and Hamas isn’t the only group to violate all laws of war and seek to win via international pressure.
The question is why President Biden rescinded President Trump’s sanctions on the ICC in 2021, and why he and Sen. Chuck Schumer are currently blocking new, bipartisan sanctions from getting a vote on the Senate floor. Mr. Schumer, who loves telling Jewish audiences he’s their shomer, or guardian, is protecting enemies who would put Israel and America in the dock.
Appeared in the November 2, 2024, print edition as 'Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates'.
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