HIJAB HOCHUL: Governor's Headscarf Ignites Backlash

Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a fresh wave of criticism after appearing in a hijab during a New York City event with Muslim leaders, an appearance coming less than two weeks before the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Hochul appeared Friday at an event publicized by the Islamic Center of New York, addressing religious and community leaders while wearing a black head covering. Images and video quickly spread across social media, drawing sharp criticism from conservative accounts.

“‘Feminist icon’ NY Governor Hochul just put on a hijab for Muslim men,” the account End Wokeness wrote on X.

Political commentator Benny Johnson wrote, “Governor Kathy Hochul is wearing a hijab yet again. If suicidal empathy had a poster child, it would be her.”

Graham Allen focused directly on the timing, posting: “We are just TWELVE DAYS out till the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul is wearing a hijab. SHAME ON HER.”

Another account, Jack Unheard, posted simply: “NY Governor Kathy Hochul is now wearing a hijab.”

The controversy comes as New York prepares to commemorate the September 11th, 2001 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people.

Hochul is already facing separate criticism from a retired Port Authority police group that has asked her to stay away from this year’s Ground Zero ceremony over other actions it considers insensitive to the 9/11 community.

It is also not Hochul’s first controversy involving an Islamic head covering.

In July 2025, Hochul wore a headscarf at the funeral of NYPD Detective Didarul Islam, a Muslim officer killed in a Midtown Manhattan mass shooting.

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz initially reacted to a photograph of Hochul by writing, “Um, wut?” He later escalated his criticism after Hochul defended herself.

“I agree. You should wear a hijab every day because you are so damn decent,” Cruz wrote on X.

“Never mind the rights of women in New York…not your concern.”