Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Leaving GOP With a Major Senate Void
The Morning Sixpack - 07/13/2026: Graham dies, Trump eyes Hormuz, McConnell speaks, ICE probe, Blanche fight, Reflecting Pool woes. #MorningSixpack
Lindsey Graham’s death leaves Republicans scrambling to replace one of President Trump’s most dependable Senate allies—and it reshapes the political map overnight. Even Washington doesn’t get to hit the snooze button on reality.
Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Leaving GOP With a Major Senate Void
Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday at age 71 after suffering an aortic dissection, ending a decades-long political career that evolved from outspoken Trump critic to one of the president’s closest allies.
His death instantly creates a political and legislative vacuum Republicans can’t easily replace.
Graham’s office announced his death Sunday after he returned from a trip to Ukraine. A preliminary report from the Washington, D.C., medical examiner said the cause was an aortic dissection brought on by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement while the state prepares for a special election.
Few politicians reinvented themselves as dramatically as Graham. During the 2016 campaign he blasted Donald Trump as a “demagogue” and even said, “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.” A decade later, he was among the president’s most loyal defenders, helping shepherd judicial nominations, budget legislation and key pieces of Trump’s agenda through the Senate.
Trump mourned the senator on social media, calling him “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known,” adding, “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!” Leaders from Israel and Ukraine also paid tribute, reflecting Graham’s long-standing advocacy for an aggressive American role overseas and his unwavering support for both allies.
Graham served in Congress for more than three decades after first winning election to the House in 1994. He later became chairman of both the Senate Judiciary and Budget committees, played a central role in reshaping the federal judiciary, defended Supreme Court nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, and remained one of the Republican Party’s most influential voices on national security until his final days.
Source: New York Times
Editor: Washington has a habit of assuming its biggest players will always be there tomorrow. Politics has a way of reminding everyone that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Robert Reich argues Todd Blanche has acted more like Donald Trump’s personal attorney than the nation’s top law enforcement officer—and says the Senate should reject his nomination. If the confirmation hearing is supposed to be a job interview, this one comes with a very long résumé of controversy.
Robert Reich Lays Out His Case Against Todd Blanche for Attorney General
Progressive economist Robert Reich is urging Americans to pressure their senators to vote against confirming Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, arguing Blanche has consistently put President Trump’s interests ahead of the Justice Department’s mission.
Reich says confirming Blanche would permanently blur the line between serving the president and serving the rule of law.
In a lengthy Substack post ahead of Blanche’s Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Reich lists five reasons he believes Blanche should never become attorney general. Among them are allegations that Blanche improperly handled the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related records, pursued investigations into Trump’s political opponents, and helped dismantle January 6 prosecutions while defending Trump’s claims about the 2020 election.
Reich also points to Blanche’s role in what he describes as an unprecedented immunity agreement shielding Trump and his family from future federal investigations. He argues the arrangement could prevent scrutiny of alleged conflicts of interest and corruption, while also accusing Blanche of transforming the Justice Department into what Reich characterizes as an instrument for advancing Trump’s personal grievances.
The former labor secretary also highlights the large number of Justice Department attorneys who have left during Blanche’s tenure, particularly within the Civil Rights Division and other key offices. Reich contends the departures have hollowed out the department and weakened its independence.
The post concludes with a direct appeal for readers to call their senators and oppose Blanche’s confirmation, arguing that the attorney general’s duty is to uphold the Constitution—not serve the political interests of any president.
Source: Robert Reich Substack
Editor: Reich didn’t just oppose the nomination—he delivered a point-by-point indictment. Whether senators agree is another matter, but they’ll have a hard time claiming they weren’t handed the argument in writing.
President Trump says the U.S. should control the Strait of Hormuz, protect global shipping, and send the bill to the rest of the world. Apparently, freedom of navigation now comes with an invoice.
Trump Says U.S. Should Control Strait of Hormuz—and Get Paid for It
President Donald Trump says the United States will likely take control of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing America should be compensated for protecting one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The proposal would put the U.S. at the center of one of the globe’s most dangerous flashpoints—and have other nations footing the bill.
In a Monday interview on Fox News, Trump said the U.S. would become the “guardian” of the strategic waterway following Iran’s closure of the strait. “We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it,” Trump said. “We’ll become the guardian of the strait...and we should be reimbursed for that.” He added, “We’re going to guard it. We’re going to get paid for guarding it—a lot of money.”
The comments come after Iran suspended commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz following renewed military clashes with the United States. Tehran says shipping will remain restricted until stability returns and warned that continued U.S. military involvement could trigger even greater disruptions to global oil and gas markets. The latest fighting has already pushed oil prices sharply higher and reignited concerns about inflation.
Trump also said previous agreements with Iran had repeatedly failed. “We had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it,” he said. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards insisted the only path to reopening the waterway is for the U.S. to end its military operations in the region.
Source: Reuters
Editor: Keeping one of the world’s busiest oil chokepoints open is one thing. Turning it into a subscription service is an idea that’s guaranteed to get everyone’s attention.
Mitch McConnell says he’s recovering after weeks of silence following the fall that landed him in the hospital. Washington has plenty of rumors—but eventually reality checks in.
McConnell Breaks Silence After Hospital Stay, Says He’s Recovering
Sen. Mitch McConnell says he is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after a fall last month that led to weeks of speculation about his health and future.
The longtime Republican leader is finally addressing the questions that had been swirling since his hospitalization.
McConnell released a statement Sunday saying he remains in rehabilitation after falling and losing consciousness several weeks ago. The Kentucky Republican thanked supporters for their well wishes and said he is focused on his recovery as he prepares to leave the Senate at the end of his current term.
The update marks McConnell’s first public comments since his hospitalization, which fueled widespread speculation about his condition. The veteran senator, who has experienced several high-profile health incidents in recent years, has already announced he will not seek another term, ending one of the most influential careers in modern Senate history.
McConnell’s statement comes at a time of heightened uncertainty for Senate Republicans following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, leaving the GOP without two of its most experienced lawmakers actively serving in Washington as major legislative battles continue.
Source: Axios
Editor: McConnell built a career on playing the long game. Now the focus shifts from political strategy to something much more personal—his health and recovery.
Another fatal encounter involving ICE is under investigation after a person was killed during an operation in Maine. The questions are piling up faster than the official answers.
Fatal ICE-Involved Shooting in Maine Sparks New Questions
A person was killed Monday during an ICE-involved incident in Biddeford, Maine, marking the second fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents in less than a week.
With few official details released, the latest shooting is certain to intensify scrutiny of ICE’s enforcement operations.
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau confirmed that a person died and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was involved in the incident. He said Maine State Police and the Department of Public Safety were gathering facts at the scene and that the FBI is expected to investigate. Local police said there is no ongoing threat to the public but declined to provide additional information.
The shooting comes just days after ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop in Houston. That case drew national attention after officials acknowledged the Mexican immigrant was not the original target of the enforcement operation, prompting protests and renewed demands for greater transparency surrounding ICE use-of-force incidents.
Federal officials have not yet explained what led to Monday’s shooting in Maine. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security had not publicly commented as of Monday afternoon, and investigators have not released the identity of the person who was killed.
Source: CNN
Editor: Every fatal law enforcement encounter deserves a full accounting of the facts. Until investigators provide them, speculation will fill the vacuum—and that’s good for no one.
Washington’s famous Reflecting Pool is being drained again after its brand-new protective coating started peeling just days after reopening. Nothing says “multimillion-dollar renovation” quite like needing another renovation.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Drained Again After New Lining Fails
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is being drained for a second time in just a few months after the newly installed coating began peeling shortly after the landmark reopened.
A costly renovation meant to fix the iconic pool has instead created another round of repairs—and another round of questions.
Crews fenced off the Reflecting Pool and began draining the water after officials discovered problems with the protective lining that was installed during a multimillion-dollar rehabilitation project. The repairs come only days after Independence Day festivities and just months after the pool was reopened to visitors.
Photos from Washington show ducks wandering through the shrinking pool while workers pump out water and prepare for another round of maintenance. The National Mall landmark has already experienced repeated setbacks since the renovation project began, frustrating tourists hoping to see one of the nation’s most recognizable memorials in its restored condition.
Officials say the pool will be cleaned and repaired before being refilled, but no timetable has been announced for when visitors will once again see the iconic mirror-like reflection stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Source: USA Today
Editor: It’s the Reflecting Pool, not the “Keep Sending the Contractor Back” Pool. At this rate, the ducks may finish the job before the warranty does.