Longtime Republican senator Lindsey Graham has died of an apparent heart attack, a major loss for Trump and a blow to Washington's political middle.

• Graham, 71, died at his DC home, with a 911 call and CPR reported the night before he was set to appear on TV.
• He had just flown back from his 10th trip to Ukraine, where he met Zelensky and pushed a bill to punish the biggest buyers of Russian oil.
• Trump called him a close friend, ordered flags at half-staff, and said they had spoken by phone hours before he died.
• Both parties praised him as a dealmaker who fought hard in public but quietly worked across the aisle, from the First Step Act to Afghan refugee bills.
• His father also died of a heart attack in his late 60s.

Outlook: His death leaves his Russia sanctions push and Ukraine role in doubt, and removes one of Trump's strongest Senate allies.