Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and host of the “War Room” podcast, has stirred controversy by calling for the arrest of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) due to Graham’s outspoken support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The call came following a Ukrainian drone strike that reportedly destroyed dozens of Russian military aircraft—an attack Graham publicly praised.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Bannon sharply criticized Graham’s diplomatic visits to Ukraine and his vocal backing of Kyiv’s military efforts. Bannon accused Graham of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia and undermining the foreign policy stance of former President Donald Trump, who favors a more cautious approach to the conflict.
“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,” Bannon said. “You’re stirring it up.”
Senator Graham has been one of the most visible congressional advocates for Ukraine, frequently visiting Kyiv and meeting with Ukrainian leaders. He has consistently pushed for increased U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. After news of the successful drone strike on Russian targets, Graham praised Ukraine’s “innovative use of drone warfare” and reaffirmed his commitment to providing continued aid.
However, Bannon views Graham’s actions as dangerous provocations that risk entangling the U.S. in an escalating conflict. He accused Graham of undermining Trump’s foreign policy goals and giving Ukrainians “false hope” about the level of U.S. support. Bannon warned that such behavior should carry consequences, even suggesting legal action.
This disagreement highlights growing divisions within the Republican Party over the U.S. role in Ukraine. While figures like Graham advocate for robust support to Ukraine, others aligned with Trump and Bannon argue for a more isolationist stance, emphasizing America’s interests should come first and avoiding deeper involvement in foreign conflicts.
Though Bannon’s call for arrest is unlikely to lead to any legal proceedings, it emphasizes the sharp internal conflicts shaping the Republican Party’s foreign policy debate. The clash between Bannon and Graham signals the ongoing struggle over America’s future engagement on the global stage—and the political battles that will define it.
