New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who wore a hijab at the funeral of a Muslim police officer, responded sharply this week to Republican Senator Ted Cruz (Texas), after he appeared to mock her in a post on social media.
The Democratic governor wrote Saturday on X (formerly Twitter):“I wore a hijab to honor a Muslim police officer killed in the line of duty. Wearing it at his funeral was an expression of respect for the beliefs of a grieving family. That’s what leaders do—and what anyone with a basic sense of decency would do.”
Hochul’s post came in response to Senator Cruz, who on Friday reposted a photo of her at the funeral with a caption that appeared to mock her gesture.
Cruz Mocked for Hypocrisy After Hijab Remark to Governor Hochul
Social media users quickly pointed out Cruz’s hypocrisy, sharing a photo of him from 2016 wearing a Jewish kippah during his campaign stop at a Jewish center in Brighton Beach, New York.
Following Hochul’s response, Cruz replied sarcastically:“Agreed. You should wear a hijab every day because you’re very modest. Don’t bother about women’s rights in New York—you have no business with them.”
It remains unclear what Cruz intended by his remark about “women’s rights in New York.”
According to reports, Governor Hochul had attended the funeral of NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was killed last week in a mass shooting incident in Manhattan. The gunman opened fire on four individuals in a skyscraper that houses the headquarters of the NFL Players Association, before taking his own life.