Gov. Kathy Hochul drew sharp criticism from conservatives after she wore a headscarf during a weekend visit to an Islamic center in New York City.
The Democratic governor appeared in a charcoal-gray suit with a black scarf covering her hair, similar to head coverings worn by many Muslim women as an expression of modesty and religious faith, according to video from her appearance at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in Queens.
Hochul spoke to worshippers during the weekly Friday Jummah prayer service and recognized “his excellency” Tareq Albanai, Kuwait’s permanent representative to the United Nations, thanking him for inviting her to “be part of the family.”
The Islamic center later expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit, noting that she addressed the congregation and toured its school facilities.
“Her visit was a meaningful recognition of the role ICCS plays in New York as a community partner serving and bringing together New Yorkers from across our diverse city and state.”
The appearance, however, quickly became a target for some right-wing commentators online.
“A self-described feminist voluntarily wearing a hijab to not offend/arouse Muslim men. Oh, the irony,” wrote Riley Gaines, the swimmer and women’s sports activist.
Republican Texas Rep. Brandon Gill also used the photo op to accuse Democrats of hypocrisy.
“Democrats: ‘Sexist Republicans are turning America in to the Handmaid’s Tale!’ Also Democrats:” he wrote on X, with the photo appearing directly underneath.
Republican CNN anchor Scott Jennings shared a video of Hochul addressing the Islamic center in an X post dripping with sarcasm.
“Republicans need to stop this theocratic Handmaid’s Tale bullcrap … wait being told this is the Democratic Governor of New York,” he wrote.
Others brought up that the appearance took place just weeks before the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
“Twenty-five years after 9/11, New York’s governor is donning a hijab and New York City’s mayor believes that people spontaneously combusted on 9/11. Great job, New Yorkers!” Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro fumed, referring to previous statements Mayor Zohran Mamdani has posted about the 9/11 anniversary.
It’s not out of the ordinary for prominent women, including politicians, to wear hijabs as a show of respect at Muslim-faith events — with Hillary Clinton, former first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, ex-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and even first daughter Ivanka Trump all having covered up while holding audiences with Islamic leaders and dignitaries.
The episode echoes Hochul taking heat from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who knocked her for wearing a headscarf at the July 2025 funeral of slain NYPD Detective Didarul Islam, who was Muslim, posting a photo of her in a hijab with the caption “Um, wut?”
Hochul sniped back, telling the New York Times “respecting a grieving family’s faith is ‘wut’ leaders and anyone with basic decency would do.”
