Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is facing backlash from the public—and potentially from the Trump administration—over recent comments and video footage that critics say undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
While visiting Ukraine, Graham sparked controversy with remarks that some interpret as obstructing the peace process. In a video shared on X, the senator stated that Congress is prepared to take action against Russia, regardless of whether President Trump supports it.
Graham heaped praise on Ukraine for the drone attack, saying in an X post, “The ever-resourceful Ukraine used creative drone warfare tactics to successfully attack Russian bombers and military assets used to kill Ukrainian citizens and destroy their country.”
Graham went on to suggest that if Russia agreed to a ceasefire and came to the negotiating table, it would prevent the U.S. from “playing its cards.” Former Trump strategist and current War Room podcast host Steve Bannon sharply criticized the senator’s actions during his visit to Kyiv, offering a blunt and unsparing response.
According to The Hill, Bannon stated that if Graham continues traveling abroad and “stirring it up” in Ukraine, he should be arrested. Visibly frustrated, Bannon voiced strong opposition to a recent Ukrainian drone strike that destroyed 40 Russian strategic bombers deep inside Russian territory, emphasizing his concern over escalating tensions.
Bannon added that the White House should immediately condemn the Ukrainian drone strike and take steps to rein in Graham’s involvement in foreign diplomacy, which he argued is only escalating tensions. “The White House has to condemn this immediately and pull all support and tell Lindsey Graham to come home or we are going to put you under arrest when you come home. You’re stirring it up,” Bannon continued.
Bannon went on to accuse Graham of acting behind Trump’s back by meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday, though it’s not clear that Graham didn’t inform the White House of his intention to do so before departing.
“Lindsey Graham’s over there saying, ‘Hey, forget Trump. I got the House and the Senate. We’re going to pass it. You’re going to see something in a couple of days,’” Bannon stated. “He’s stirring it up over there.”
