Sherrill ripped after NJ skips flag directive honoring Graham: ‘Most political governor’

By Fox News · Fox News

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is taking heat after state flag-status records showed flags at full-staff despite a White House proclamation directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide in remembrance of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., through Saturday evening. "This is probably the most political [Trenton administration], and she's only been there six months -- probably the most political governor I've served with in the last 25 years," New Jersey state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, R-Boonton, told Fox News Digital on Thursday. He formally requested the governor lower the flags earlier this week following Graham's death. A Trenton source confirmed that flags at the Capitol remained at full-staff as of Thursday midday. A New Jersey Department of State website tracking flag status also indicated "all flags full-staff" on Thursday. Sherrill, whose office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, appeared to be one of a handful of Democratic state leaders to ignore the White House's proclamation – as neighboring Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer , Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro both ordered flags lowered, reportedly along with leaders of California , Colorado , Maryland , SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER 'BRIEF AND SUDDEN' ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger did not appear to issue half-staff orders either – as each state's official flag status remained "full-staff" as of Thursday. Fox News Digital reached out to both governors for comment. Pennacchio told Fox News Digital that after inaction from Sherrill on lowering the flags, he crafted a formal request. Pennacchio said that honoring people like Graham should be nonpartisan – because Graham was a respected public figure as well as a decades-long U.S. Air Force veteran and someone who also exuded a bipartisan nature particularly on key votes like confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor . "My request was very respectful. It w…