Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 12, 2026
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died at age 71 after a brief illness, prompting tributes from across the political spectrum. The news coincided with escalating tensions in the Middle East, as U.S. Central Command launched strikes against Iran following attacks on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. South Carolina Governor will appoint an interim senator, and a special primary is planned to select Graham's permanent replacement.
- ▪Lindsey Graham, a 31‑year veteran of Congress, died after cardiac arrest was declared at his Washington, D.C., residence.
- ▪He had recently returned from Kyiv, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and advocated for stronger U.S. support for Ukraine.
- ▪Graham was known for his bipartisan work on immigration reform and his later alliance with former President Donald Trump.
- ▪U.S. Central Command responded to Iranian attacks on a container ship by conducting a new wave of airstrikes in the region.
- ▪South Carolina's governor will name an interim senator, and a special primary in August will determine Graham's successor for the upcoming November election.
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Face The Nation Transcripts Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 12, 2026 .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-face-the-nation.jpg'); } Updated on: July 12, 2026 / 10:18 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast: Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South CarolinaIsraeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael LeiterAmb. Rahm Emanuel, former ambassador to Japan, White House chief of staff and mayor of ChicagoRepublican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, former chair of the House Intelligence CommitteeRetired Gen. Frank McKenzie, president of The Citadel and former commander of U.S.
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