Sen. Lindsey Graham Says He’s Voting to Reelect Trump

Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 9, 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that he is voting Monday to reelect President Donald Trump, with just over 70 days until the election.

Graham, in an opinion article, argued that the president has “delivered” on his promises, saying that “his record is clear.” He also downplayed criticisms from a small, outlier group of Republicans who announced they would vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden last week.

“To some, President Trump’s style and behavior are problematic. Others believe President Trump is just what the doctor ordered—a bull in a china shop,” Graham wrote. “Not only do they approve of what President Trump is doing, they approve of the manner in which he’s doing it and believe it should have been done a long time ago.”

Among Trump’s accomplishments, according to the GOP senator, are rebuilding a military that was left “broken down” under the prior administration, confirming about 200 district and circuit court judges and two Supreme Court justices, cutting taxes and deregulating the economy, and touted Trump’s replacement of NAFTA with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

“President Trump has pushed back against Chinese expansion, Chinese misbehavior, intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, and their role in spreading the coronavirus,” he wrote, referring to the CCP virus. He added: “President Trump has been a steadfast pro-life president and is standing up for religious liberties throughout the world.”

He also touted Trump’s mantle of “law and order” amid protests, violence, and unrest that was embraced by far-left agitators earlier this year.

It came about two months after Trump called on voters in South Carolina to cast their ballots for Graham in his November senate reelection bid.

“Senator @LindseyGrahamSC is a good friend and strong voice for the people of South Carolina,” Trump posted on Twitter in early June. “He’s helped us confirm GREAT Judges, rebuild the Military, and keep our Country SAFE. Strong on Life and our Vets. Lindsey has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

While Graham disagreed with Trump on a number of issues, including the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, he has overall been a vocal supporter of the president, including during the impeachment hearings.

Graham, however, was not included among prominent GOP Republicans who are scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention this week. Both Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was also the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will speak at the event on Monday night.

Graham faces Democratic nominee Jaime Harrison, the former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, in the general election.