New Jersey state flags remained at full-staff despite a White House proclamation directing all U.S. flags to fly at half-staff through Saturday evening in remembrance of Sen. Lindsey Graham's passing. State records confirmed the directive was not followed, prompting criticism from observers who characterized the decision as politically motivated.

Opponents have framed Sherrill's non-compliance as reflective of her administration's political approach, with one critic describing it as behaviour characteristic of what he called the "most political" administration in Trenton, despite her having held the governorship for only six months at the time.