The Senator’s Surrender: Lindsey Graham’s Faustian Bargain

Lindsey Graham’s transformation from a vocal critic of Donald Trump to his most ardent supporter is one of the most intriguing and disturbing tales of the past decade. A senator who once denounced Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot” became his most loyal ally, defending him even when their views diverged.

Graham’s explanation for this volte-face was refreshingly straightforward: he wanted to be close to power. In a 2019 New York Times interview, he said, “If you know anything about me, it’d be odd not to do this.” His quest for proximity led him down a path of coddling Trump, praising his judgment, and offering advice as if he were a trusted confidant.

Graham’s actions also had a practical component: South Carolina, his home state, is solidly Republican, and standing with Trump was seen as a way to maintain his political viability. “If you don’t want to get re-elected,” he quipped, “you’re in the wrong business.” However, this pragmatism is troubling given the consequences of Graham’s actions.

As a member of Trump’s inner circle, Graham may have had some influence over the president’s decisions, but his impact was likely overstated. His advocacy on behalf of Ukraine appears to have been more about maintaining a veneer of support than genuinely altering policy. Even when he tried to sway Trump, his methods were often laughable – like showing him a map of Syria’s oil fields in an attempt to keep U.S. troops deployed.

Graham’s influence on Trump’s decisions is difficult to quantify, but it’s clear that his actions had significant consequences. He reinforced Trump’s inclination to attack Iran and may have even influenced his decision to support Israel’s attack on Iranian targets. On the other hand, he persuaded Trump to support a bill strengthening sanctions against Russia – but only after it was too late.

The story of Lindsey Graham’s surrender to Donald Trump is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition in politics. As Bob Woodward and Robert Costa noted in their 2021 book Peril, Graham knew that Trump was often wrongheaded, yet he continued to court him because he believed the Republicans couldn’t win without his support – and that Trump needed to change to be electable. However, there’s no evidence that this approach worked.

Graham’s willingness to sacrifice principle for power is a stark reminder of the risks of politics without ethics. His legacy will likely be defined by his role in enabling Donald Trump’s presidency. As we look ahead to the next chapter in American politics, it’s worth remembering the lessons of Graham’s surrender: that proximity to power can be a corrupting influence, and that sometimes, being relevant comes at a steep cost.

Graham’s actions have far-reaching implications for the future of American foreign policy. His advocacy on behalf of Ukraine has been equivocal at best – and his willingness to back Trump’s decisions, no matter how misguided, has left allies in Europe and Asia wondering about America’s reliability as a guarantor of their security.

Throughout history, politicians have made Faustian bargains with those in power – often with disastrous consequences. From Joe Kennedy’s deal-making with Joseph Stalin to Lyndon Johnson’s accommodation of South Vietnamese leaders, the pattern is clear: sometimes, staying relevant means sacrificing principle.

As we assess Lindsey Graham’s legacy, it’s worth asking what he gained from his surrender to Donald Trump. Was it simply a chance to stay relevant in a changing world? Or did he genuinely believe that his proximity to power would allow him to shape Trump’s decisions for the better? The answer may lie in the contradictions of Graham’s actions.

The story of Lindsey Graham’s surrender to Donald Trump is a reminder that politics without ethics can have far-reaching consequences. As we look ahead to the next chapter in American politics, it’s worth remembering that proximity to power can be a corrupting influence, and that sometimes, being relevant comes at a steep cost.