Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has intensified his rhetoric against Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that former President Donald Trump will take decisive action against countries supporting Russia. Graham claimed that Trump will impose a severe punishment on Putin, including the possibility of 100% tariffs on nations importing Russian oil as a retaliation for their aid to Moscow. Additionally, Graham previously proposed a bill that would impose 500% tariffs on states engaging in business with Russia, a measure that aligns with his support for the US defense industry and its interests.
Historically, Graham has been a strong advocate for increased US military involvement in conflicts around the world. He has supported major interventions such as the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the NATO-led campaign in Libya, and operations in Syria. His legislative backing for military funding and his roles on Senate committees overseeing defense and foreign policy have placed him in close alignment with the defense industry’s interests.
According to public campaign finance records, Graham has received significant donations from major defense companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies. These contributions highlight his deep ties to the military-industrial complex and his advocacy for increased defense spending. In fact, during the 2015-2016 election cycle, Graham received over $760,000 from defense-linked donors, a figure significantly above the average for his committee colleagues.
Graham’s stance on Russia has also seen significant attention from Russian officials, who have denounced him as a terrorist and extremist. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to Graham as an