Senator Darline Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed reservations Saturday about President Donald Trump’s decision to waive sanctions against Russia under a law named after her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. The exemption, issued just weeks after the legislation was enacted, has drawn criticism and highlights tension between the senator’s legislative legacy and the administration’s approach to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russian and Iran Act, signed into law last September, aims to curb Russia’s energy sector and restrict financial activities supporting Moscow’s war effort. It also extends sanctions on Iran for an additional five years. The measure was a key part of Lindsey Graham’s legislative achievements prior to his death, and it granted the president authority to impose economic penalties on Russia. However, it also gave the White House discretion to waive these sanctions, a power Trump exercised, effectively offering Russia a temporary financial reprieve.
Speaking at a campaign event, Senator Graham indicated she personally disagrees with the administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Russia. “I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down,” she said, citing her distrust of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government. The senator said she planned to discuss the waiver with President Trump, who is scheduled to campaign alongside her in South Carolina.
Despite her cautious critique, Graham acknowledged her brother’s sometimes divergent stance from Trump on foreign policy matters. “Lindsey — he disagreed with the president sometimes. They had that relationship where they could agree to disagree,” she said, signaling a nuanced balance between remaining loyal to the presidency and defending her brother’s legacy.
Other Republican senators have voiced stronger condemnation of Trump’s decision. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the waiver “beyond irresponsible” and accused the administration of capitulating to “a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day.” Senator John Cornyn of Texas said in a public statement that Lindsey Graham “would be appalled” by the move.
The Trump administration’s waiver follows a temporary lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel, a commodity whose rising prices have intensified domestic economic concerns and become a flashpoint in the midterm elections. Critics from the Democratic side in South Carolina have sought to leverage discontent over energy costs, portraying Senator Graham as aligned too closely with Trump and complicit in policies that have increased financial burdens on voters. Dr. Annie Andrews, Graham’s Democratic opponent, has described her as a “rubber stamp” for the administration’s agenda.
President Trump has publicly praised Senator Graham, affirming his support for her Senate campaign. In a video endorsement, he said he personally encouraged her candidacy and commended her as an “incredible” candidate with strong political acumen, invoking the legacy of her brother.
The sanctions law remains a significant legislative effort aimed at pressuring Russia economically, but the administration’s decision to waive parts of it underscores the complexities involved in balancing foreign policy objectives with domestic economic considerations. As the midterm elections approach, the issue is likely to remain a contentious topic in both South Carolina and national politics.