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With the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, Morgan Ortagus joined “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News on January 19th to reflect on the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Graham while also discussing the Trump administration’s Middle East priorities.

Morgan Ortagus on Fox News Remembering Lindsey Graham

Ortagus shared a deeply personal account of what she said was one of Senator Graham’s final conversations before his unexpected passing. She recalled that Graham had just returned from diplomatic meetings in Ukraine, Turkey, and the NATO Summit, where he had been working closely with President Donald Trump on several major foreign policy initiatives. According to Ortagus, Graham was energized by the progress being made on a Russia sanctions bill, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, expanding the Abraham Accords, and holding Iran accountable for violating international agreements.

During the interview, Ortagus described Graham as being “full of life” and passionate about advancing policies he believed would strengthen American leadership abroad. She noted that despite his enthusiasm, Graham mentioned experiencing chest tightness and exhaustion following his demanding overseas travel schedule. Ortagus said she urged him to seek medical attention, reflecting on how his relentless commitment to public service may have prevented him from taking the time to care for his own health.

The conversation then shifted to current developments in the Middle East, including the upcoming White House visit of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Drawing on her experience serving as Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Ortagus emphasized the significance of the meeting and praised Aoun’s efforts to confront Hezbollah’s influence within Lebanon. She argued that disarming Hezbollah is essential for both regional stability and U.S. national security.

Looking ahead, Ortagus expressed optimism that President Trump’s continued focus on diplomacy could further expand the Abraham Accords. She suggested that Lebanon has the potential to join the historic agreements before the end of the administration, describing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon as an achievable goal.

Throughout the interview, Ortagus combined personal reflection with foreign policy analysis, honoring Senator Graham’s legacy while highlighting the administration’s ongoing efforts to promote peace, strengthen regional alliances, and advance American interests in the Middle East.

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Morgan Ortagus brings more than 20 years of experience in US national security strategy , foreign policy, and financial services. She has served as Deputy Presidential Special Envoy to the Middle East, Special Representative for Lebanon, Counselor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.

In addition to her government service, Ortagus is the former host of The Morgan Ortagus Show on SiriusXM and remains a frequent contributor on Fox News. Explore more of Morgan Ortagus’ television appearances, interviews, and commentary to hear her insights on foreign policy, global security, and today’s most pressing international challenges.