Blog
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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Nov 01 2024
WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) sent a letter to the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling for an investigation into misconduct allegations against Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan that seem to implicate his decision to apply for arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
First, in a potential violation of international law, Prosecutor Khan failed to properly engage with the State of Israel during his investigation and abruptly canceled a meeting between the Prosecutor’s office and Israeli representatives and then announced the application for arrest warrants. Second, several media reports, including an October 25, 2024 Associated Press story, found the warrant applications were announced around the same time that Prosecutor Khan was accused of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. This raises the possibility that the Prosecutor was influenced by extraneous factors. If the allegations against Prosecutor Khan are true, the Senators have asked the ASP to hold a vote to remove him from his position.
The Senators wrote, “First, Prosecutor Khan did not comply with the law when he applied for arrest warrants against Israeli government officials… we received notification that members of Prosecutor Khan’s team were scheduled to meet with legal representatives for the State of Israel on May 20 in Israel. To our astonishment, however, members of the Prosecutor’s office never boarded the plane to Israel and the meeting was abruptly canceled just a few hours before it was to take place... Prosecutor Khan’s abrupt cancelation and his announcement of an application for arrest warrants on that same day have always been perplexing, and stand in stark contrast to the assurances we received from his office that there would be meaningful consultations with Israel, as required by the letter and spirit of the Rome Statute.”
They continued, “Second, in addition to these legal concerns regarding Prosecutor Khan’s application for warrants against Israeli officials, there is a cloud hanging over the Prosecutor and his office. It has come to light recently through numerous media reports—particularly an Associated Press (AP) story dated October 25, 2024—that allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Prosecutor Khan emerged earlier this year, around the time he decided not to send his team to meet with Israeli legal representatives and announced a warrant application instead… If the allegations are substantiated, we urge the Assembly to take all necessary steps available under its authority—up to and including holding a vote for his removal—and to consider the implications on the investigations led by Prosecutor Khan. Transparency is of utmost importance regarding the allegations against Prosecutor Khan. We urge the body to take this seriously.”
They concluded, “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. We urge you to consider seriously the concerns we have raised.”
To read the full letter, click here.
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Oct 23 2024
US Navy: Projecting Strength and Building the Fleet of Tomorrow
By Senator Lindsey Graham and Morgan Ortagus
Fox News
October 23, 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/us-navy-projecting-strength-and-building-fleet-tomorrow
It’s time for all Americans to grasp a hard truth: in a world that may be on the brink of World War III, our military budgets are inconsistent with the threats we face. This is especially the case with the budget of the Department of the Navy.
The bad news: the current Navy budget will not make a stronger military or a larger U.S. fleet a reality. The good news: through American innovation and more agile products, we can build a bigger and more efficient Navy.
However, President Biden’s proposed FY2025 budget of $257.6 billion for the Department of the Navy is well below inflation and does not provide for a more lethal Navy.
As both President Biden and President Trump certified, the most direct challenge facing the U.S. Navy today is from the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, strong investments must be made now to ensure the Navy, and most importantly the United States, can meet this threat head-on.
It comes as no shock to the reader that America and its allies and partners are facing an unprecedented deluge of maritime threats by the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese Navy alone has provoked a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait with dangerous maneuvers, harassed Taiwan with aggressive military exercises, entered America’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bering Sea, developed a jam-resistant submarine torpedo, and injured several Filipino sailors at and around Second Thomas Shoal.
These developments incrementally set the conditions for a direct conflict on the open seas. Meanwhile, Washington has been lulled into complacency by decades of maritime supremacy. Most concerning, the United States lacks the political resolve to shed the Navy’s Soviet-era mentality and adapt to the new era of great power competition.
To meet the moment’s maritime threats, America must choose between tough and tougher: make significant investments in our fleet or face the costs of inaction.
Section One: Expanding U.S. Shipbuilding Capacity and Cooperation with Allies
Our shipbuilding industrial base is grappling with significant delays and challenges, affecting major programs like the Columbia-class submarines, Constellation-class frigates, and Ford-class carriers. These delays are not only impacting the procurement of new ships, they are also impacting the ability to maintain the current fleet.
A great first step to combating the maritime threats our nation faces is to expand the physical footprint of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
The U.S. shipbuilding industry is first in its class and the men and women that come to work every day in our nation’s shipyards build the world's most lethal and capable warships. In states like South Carolina, there are a wealth of maritime industry suppliers and shipbuilders diligently producing the necessary components to construct our nation’s ships.
But that alone is not enough. China’s Bohai Shipyard boasts an annual capacity exceeding the total number of ships our Navy has launched since 2014.
In addition, China is rapidly expanding its existing shipyards and according to experts "has been investing so much in shipbuilding over the past 18 years that it can now build more ships in a month than the United States can in a year."
By comparison, America only has four public shipyards and these yards focus on maintenance of submarines and aircraft carriers and not the construction of new vessels.
The Department of the Navy should look at states like South Carolina to build new shipyards to maximize the U.S. shipbuilding capacity and our maritime industry.
In addition, the Navy must expand maintenance capacity here in the states as well as in the Pacific. The U.S. Navy has already decided to augment its capacity by placing a submarine maintenance facility in Guam. This should be replicated for other vessels elsewhere.
It is clear that the need for more shipbuilding capacity is great and immediate. Investing here at home will certainly help address the need. At the same time, our nation should also not discount opportunities to work with others when the opportunity presents itself.
The U.S. Navy cannot afford to leave any stone unturned when thinking of innovative ways to grow the fleet as quickly as possible.
Section Two: Fleet Requirements and Capabilities
A fundamental step toward a 21st-century U.S. Navy is improving both the size and modernity of our existing fleet. The fleet currently consists of carriers, surface combatants, submarines, amphibious warships, combat logistics ships, fleet support vessels and mine warfare assets.
Yet this fleet is hardly agile or scalable enough to meet a Chinese maritime threat that includes drones, hypersonic missiles and other high-tech tools of warcraft.
Persistent gaps also remain in amphibious warfare and in contested logistics. Amphibious combat vehicles, landing vessels, and light warships are all needed in higher quantities for rapid and effective landings.
Unmanned and underwater systems are especially relevant to modern naval operations. Often at a fraction of the cost of manned vessels, these vessels – both large and small – perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance missions, logistics and strike operations.
They also relieve pressure on our high-demand, low-density assets while augmenting the fleet. The proof is in their success in Ukraine, where naval drones have successfully countered Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, forcing them into safe harbors and destroying dozens of Russian vessels.
In addition to their combat roles, unmanned systems are revolutionizing naval logistics. Unmanned logistics platforms can autonomously deliver supplies, ammunition, and fuel to forward-deployed forces, significantly extending the operational reach of our fleet.
These systems reduce the need for manned resupply missions, which are often vulnerable to enemy attacks, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of our operations. By integrating unmanned logistics into our naval strategy, we can maintain sustained operations in contested environments, ensuring our forces remain equipped and ready for extended engagements.
A possible way to advance the construction of these unmanned vessels is through an international partnership. Such a partnership could be modeled after the trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia (AUKUS) for submarine production in Australia. An AUKUS-like agreement for unmanned systems could create a new pathway for faster construction of these unmanned platforms and increase the integration between partners.
China’s naval power is growing at an alarming rate, with close to 400 ships currently in service and projections of 435 by 2030. The impact of this expansion is worsened by our diminishing technology gap, as China advances its naval technology while the U.S. Navy struggles to build ships.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s latest shipbuilding assessment calls for 381 battle force ships (carriers, destroyers, amphibious ships, submarines, etc.) and 134 unmanned vehicles, totaling 515 vessels.
While it is great to have a roadmap, the U.S. Navy’s own shipbuilding plan projects that we would not reach 381 battle force ships until 2043 under the best scenario. This delay poses an unacceptable risk to our national security and could force our sailors into a fight they are underequipped to win.
To avoid that scenario and reduce the exposure of manned ships to enemy attacks, we must expedite shipbuilding with a focus on unmanned surface and subsurface systems that are affordable and quick to produce. America does not have to win a shipbuilding foot race, but we must strategically invest in both the capabilities and capacities to counter China’s growing maritime capabilities and protect our interests.
Section Three: Funding the Department of the Navy
The U.S. military budget is woefully underfunded for the threats our nation faces today. The U.S. is on target to spend only 3.1% of total GDP on defense in Fiscal Year 2025 and that percentage is projected to fall to a paltry 2.4% in 2034 under the Biden-Harris budget plan.
Budgetary "business as usual" will only widen the gap between U.S. and Chinese naval capabilities. With China’s defense budget growing in both size and sophistication, it is imperative the United States make greater, and smarter, investments of our own.
Increasing funding for the Navy’s ship procurement, known as the Shipbuilding and Conversion account, alone will not be enough. In order to address the shipbuilding problem, Congress should consider a comprehensive approach that includes strong and consistent funding across procurement, operations and maintenance, research and development, personnel and military construction accounts.
In order to do this, Congress will need to think outside the box as the current budgetary restraints limit the needed investments. Congress should form a "Fleet Investment Fund" – codifying the Navy’s entire budget growth at least 5% above inflation and more than the department’s topline request – covering all aspects of naval development and readiness.
Most importantly, this account should not be subject to any caps or restrictions within the president’s budget request to Congress each fiscal year. The formation of this account must be seen as a national imperative.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the costs of these investments are great and will require tradeoffs and significant political capital, but the costs of inaction will be far greater. History demonstrates that adversaries are emboldened by America’s hesitation and deterred by its resolve. History proves that the U.S. Navy can adapt to evolving defense needs.
Since 1945, America has served as the global guarantor of open seas and freedom of navigation in contested waterways and critical trade routes. President Theodore Roosevelt stated before Congress in 1902 that "a good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace."
Morgan Ortagus is the founder of Polaris National Security and formerly served as the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Trump.
Republican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.
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