Kathy Hochul Faces Backlash After Wearing Hijab in New York

New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced fresh criticism after delivering remarks at an Islamic center in Queens while wearing a traditional headscarf.

The Democratic governor previously clashed with Ted Cruz last year over her decision to wear the covering at the funeral of murdered NYPD officer Didarul Islam.

Her latest appearance came Friday at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in Queens, where she attended the center’s weekly Jummah prayer service.

In a video clip posted on social media, Hochul is seen wearing a black headscarf with a charcoal gray suit as she addressed those gathered.

During her remarks, she thanked Kuwait’s representative to the United Nations, Tareq Albanai, referring to him as “his excellency.”

Hochul also expressed gratitude to Albanai for inviting her to the center and allowing her, as she put it, to “be part of the family.”

The center thanked Hochul in an Instagram post Friday that showed two photos of Hochul not wearing the headscarf. 

“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,” they wrote.

‘We are grateful to Governor Hochul for spending time with our community and for her continued commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker feels safe, respected, and supported.’

They said the liberal was able to speak to their congregation before visiting the school on the campus. 

Much like her 2025 appearance in a headscarf, she drew furious criticism from prominent conservatives, including Cruz. 

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican Nassau County Executive running against her for governor in November, called it ‘tone-deaf’ just weeks before the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. 

‘Kathy Hochul will say whatever she needs to say and become whoever she needs to become when there are votes on the line,’ he wrote. 

‘Less than two weeks before the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this kind of political pandering is especially tone-deaf. New Yorkers deserve a Governor with principles that don’t change depending on the audience.’

CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings joked that it was rich coming from the party that accused Republicans of oppressing women.

‘Republicans need to stop this theocratic Handmaid’s Tale bullcrap … wait being told this is the Democratic Governor of New York,’ he wrote. 

‘A self-described feminist voluntarily wearing a hijab to not offend/arouse Muslim men. Oh, the irony,’ added Riley Gaines. 

Cruz previously slammed Hochul for wearing the scarf to Officer Islam’s funeral in 2025, reacting to a photo of her by asking: ‘Um, wut?’

Hochul fired back at the time that ‘respecting a grieving family’s faith is “wut” leaders and anyone with basic decency would do.’ 

Our News Outlet has reached out to Governor Hochul for comment. 

A recent survey showed Hochul leading Blakeman by just four points, 47-43. Ten percent of registered voters are still undecided.

Red Oak Strategic – which conducted the poll on behalf of a pro-Blakeman super PAC – showed just 38 percent of those questioned viewing the Democrat favorably, compared to 58 percent unfavorably.

Only 33 percent of those surveyed say Hochul – who has been endorsed by socialist and newfound ally Zohran Mamdani – deserves a second full term.

Blakeman, meanwhile, is seen favorably by 30 percent of voters against just 23 percent unfavorably, according to The New York Post .

Perhaps most alarmingly, Hochul – who took over in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned – trails Blakeman among independents by a whopping 21 points, 54-33.

Positive signs for Hochul remain her advantage in fundraising, as she has a combined $43million to spend between her own campaign and the state Democrat Party.

Hochul defeated former Congressman and current EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin by just six points in 2022, when traditionally liberal areas lagged in the midterm of Joe Biden’s presidency.