Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, recently appeared on “Face the Nation” for an interview that aired on June 9, 2024. The interview covered various topics, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and immigration issues.
During the interview, Senator Graham expressed his support for providing more training for Ukrainian forces, including training inside Ukraine itself. He criticized the Biden administration for not imposing pre-invasion sanctions on Russia to deter Putin and for not providing weapons to Ukraine earlier. He suggested seizing Russian assets around the world, including funds in Europe and the US, and making Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under US law. Senator Graham emphasized the importance of taking aggressive action to help Ukraine regain military momentum and ultimately end the war.
Regarding comments made by his colleague, Senator Tommy Tuberville, Senator Graham disagreed with Tuberville’s characterization of Ukrainian President Zelensky as a dictator and unconstitutional. He stressed the importance of understanding Putin’s ambitions to re-create the Russian Empire and the need to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Senator Graham highlighted the economic potential of Ukraine and the risk of allowing Putin to gain control of its critical mineral assets.
The conversation also touched on the situation in the Middle East, specifically in Israel and Gaza. Senator Graham mentioned his discussions with Israeli leaders and the need for a plan for the day after military operations against Hamas. He emphasized the importance of involving Saudi Arabia and the UAE in negotiations for Gaza and the West Bank to ensure security for Israel and prosperity for the Palestinian people.
When asked about US military aid to Israel, Senator Graham pushed back against the idea of stopping or decreasing assistance, citing the ongoing threat of radical Islam and the need to prevent Hamas from posing a future danger. He also expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the need for joint military operations to deter Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
On the topic of immigration, Senator Graham called for mass deportations to address the influx of illegal immigrants into the US. He criticized the Biden administration’s deportation policies and advocated for a tougher approach to immigration enforcement, including sealing the border and deporting those in the country illegally.
Overall, Senator Lindsey Graham’s interview covered a range of pressing issues, highlighting his views on foreign policy, national security, and immigration. His comments reflected his strong stance on supporting Ukraine, Israel, and US interests abroad, as well as his concerns about the potential threats posed by Russia, Iran, and radical Islamist groups.
