ROOKE: The Hardcore NeoCon Whispering Sweet War Songs Into Trump’s Ear

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In the wake of the U.S.-Israel joint military operation against Iran, Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has emerged as a vocal advocate for escalating the conflict.

Graham has a long record of supporting military interventions, including praising President Joe Biden for his actions in Ukraine. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, Graham has appeared on multiple TV programs, urging deeper U.S. involvement alongside Israel to dismantle Iran’s regime and its proxy forces. His statements have drawn sharp criticism within conservative circles, where figures aligned with an America First approach to foreign and domestic policy argue that Graham’s positions prioritize foreign alliances, particularly with Israel, over the safety of American troops and taxpayers.

Every quote here came from Sen. Lindsey Graham during one single interview yesterday with Maria Bartiromo on Iran. pic.twitter.com/7OhSkX93kl — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 10, 2026

Every quote here came from Sen. Lindsey Graham during one single interview yesterday with Maria Bartiromo on Iran. pic.twitter.com/7OhSkX93kl

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 10, 2026

The criticism centers around quotes where Graham expresses unwavering loyalty to Israel, even as he acknowledges the costs to Americans, and his close ties to President Donald Trump, which some see as enabling a dangerous escalation. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

A key concern among Graham’s detractors is his close relationship with Trump, facilitated by frequent golf outings, which could easily be a channel for pushing aggressive pro-war policies. Graham and Trump have played golf together multiple times since Trump’s 2024 reelection, including a February round with Republican Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt, where Graham began lobbying for strikes on Iran, according to Politico.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Lindsey Graham (@lindseygrahamsc)

A post shared by Lindsey Graham (@lindseygrahamsc)

“We were thinking about this early, early on about how Iran is a spoiler for expanding the Abraham Accords and stability in the Mideast,” Graham said, according to Politico. “I told him before he took office … if you can collapse this terrorist regime, that’s Berlin Wall stuff.”

Graham’s rhetoric since late February has focused on praising the strikes as a path to regional stability, but opponents point out that it often frames the war as benefiting Israel first, with American resources bearing the brunt.

In a Wall Street Journal interview March 6, Graham admitted taking several trips to Israel to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli intelligence to gather talking points for his push to get Trump to strike Iran.

“They’ll tell me things our own government won’t tell me,” Graham told the outlet.

Graham also admitted to advising Netanyahu on the best way to pitch Trump on military action, after which Netanyahu presented intelligence that swayed Trump’s decision, according to the WSJ.

While Graham framed his role as supportive advocacy rather than improper interference, some argue his actions during these trips violated the Logan Act. The law prohibits unauthorized private citizens from engaging in negotiations or correspondence with foreign governments or their agents with the intent to influence disputes or controversies involving the United States, or to undermine U.S. policy. Violations are punishable by fines or up to three years in prison.

During an interview Monday on Fox News’ “Hannity,” amid discussions of escalating tensions involving Iran, Graham insinuated that being against the war was akin to antisemitism and isolationism.

“To all the antisemites, to all the isolationists — forget it. I’m not with you. I’m with Israel. I will be with Israel until our dying day. They’re the best ally we could hope for,” Graham said.

Graham’s further statements from the same interview fueled accusations that he views U.S. military assets as extensions of Israeli defense rather than tools for protecting American homeland interests when he said, “God bless Israel. We should move all our stuff to Israel.”

🚨Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has reportedly traveled to Israel several times and is said to be “coaching” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how to lobby President Trump, said the following during a segment on Fox News: “God bless Israel. We should move all of our stuff to… pic.twitter.com/jCPopxGEcp — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 10, 2026

🚨Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has reportedly traveled to Israel several times and is said to be “coaching” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how to lobby President Trump, said the following during a segment on Fox News: “God bless Israel. We should move all of our stuff to… pic.twitter.com/jCPopxGEcp

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 10, 2026

Graham has also insinuated that U.S. military involvement in foreign conflicts will not stop with Iran, telling Fox News viewers that “Cuba is next.”

Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is among the congressional members criticizing Graham’s push for aggressive action against Iran, which is seen as pressuring or advising President Trump toward escalation or prolonged involvement.

“There are some in the Senate that advocate for war everywhere. Lindsey Graham is one of them. He does NOT tell the President what to do, nor does he control Congress. I have spoken with the administration a number of times, as well as other members of Congress over the last week or so, and nothing has changed regarding boots on the ground. NO BOOTS on the ground. If Senator Graham wants to go fight in a foreign conflict, let him be the first to volunteer,” Luna posted on X.

There are some in the Senate that advocate for war everywhere. Lindsey Graham is one of them. He does NOT tell the President what to do, nor does he control Congress. I have spoken with the administration a number of times, as well as other members of Congress over the last week… — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 10, 2026

There are some in the Senate that advocate for war everywhere. Lindsey Graham is one of them. He does NOT tell the President what to do, nor does he control Congress. I have spoken with the administration a number of times, as well as other members of Congress over the last week…

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 10, 2026

Luna’s remarks highlight frustration among GOP members who see Graham as out of step with the party’s shift toward a more restrained foreign policy. Similarly, Republican Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett described Graham as someone who “hasn’t seen a fist fight he hasn’t wanted to turn into a bombing raid.”

Before the war started, Graham donned a “Make Iran Great Again” hat while advocating for U.S. intervention on Fox News in January. And while most GOP officials are showing caution about putting “boots on the ground” in Iran, Graham seemingly has no issue asking South Carolinians to offer up their sons and daughters to another war in the Middle East. (Ken Paxton Gives Trump And Senate Ultimatum On Top-Priority Senate Race)

Whether or not you agree with U.S. military involvement in Iran is secondary to the reality that never in the history of our country has it been acceptable for an elected official to profess loyalty to a foreign country over their fellow Americans. The Trump administration would be better served by asking Graham to immediately cease doing public interviews focused on the conflict.

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