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Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is facing a firestorm of criticism from conservative figures and political commentators after appearing in a hijab during a visit to a Somali market in Minneapolis.
The incident took place at the Karmel Somali Market, where Flanagan—flanked by Somali leaders and speaking in part in Arabic—opened with the greeting “Salam alaikum” and told viewers: “The Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.”
Why It Matters
Flanagan’s comments come weeks after President Donald Trump lashed out at Somali migrants following the exposure of what federal prosecutors call one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes in U.S. history. The Department of Justice alleges that at least $250 million was siphoned through fraudulent claims to programs like Medicaid, food aid, and autism therapy.
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Flanagan is currently one of the leading Democratic contenders for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Tina Smith in 2026.
What To Know
In footage aired on Somali-language television, Flanagan—who is Catholic and Native American—stood beside local Somali leaders at the Karmel Market and thanked the community for its friendship.
“Being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota,” she said. She encouraged Minnesotans to “show up and support our Somali businesses and our immigrant neighbors,” adding, “We’ve got your back.”
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The reaction from conservative figures was immediate and severe. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon accused Flanagan of capitulating to an “entitled Somalian thug ethos,” posting on X that her appearance was evidence of “Christians / Catholics ‘Bending the Knee.’” Far-right activist Laura Loomer said Flanagan’s actions disqualified her from public service, writing, “Any politician who embraces Islam must be removed from office.”
Criticism also focused on the symbolism of the hijab. Commentator Amy Mek described the scarf as “a political uniform” and accused Flanagan of engaging in “raw political pandering.” Mek wrote that the lieutenant governor was “flanked by community leaders, accusing ICE of targeting them and echoing propaganda that paints U.S. law enforcement as an occupying force,” while failing to speak to the broader electorate.
Minnesota Republican Representative Tom Emmer echoed those sentiments in an interview with Fox News Digital, calling the hijab appearance “a stunt.” “Peggy Flanagan and Angie Craig are battling it out in an attempt to win over the far-left radicals in the Twin Cities,” he said. “Anyone with common sense sees right through this.”
Other critics compared the moment to high-profile political gestures during the George Floyd protests in 2020, when Democratic lawmakers wore African kente cloth in the U.S. Capitol. Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty called the hijab appearance an act of allegiance to a “foreign-language Islamic voting bloc,” suggesting it signaled a deeper ideological divide in the state.
Federal Pandemic Fraud in Minnesota May Top $9 Billion, Prosecutors Say
Federal prosecutors have identified a sweeping series of fraud schemes targeting Minnesota-administered aid programs, with estimated losses potentially exceeding $9 billion. According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, as much as half of the $18 billion in federal funds distributed through 14 state-run programs since 2018 may have been stolen, including in child nutrition, housing assistance, and autism therapy services.
Of the 92 individuals charged so far, 82 are Somali Americans, intensifying political and cultural tensions surrounding the case. “That’s the $18 billion question,” Thompson said.
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The new fraud estimate comes after years of investigation that began with the Feeding Our Future scam, first announced in 2022 under the Biden administration, when 47 defendants were charged with allegedly pocketing $250 million of federal funds intended to feed children during the pandemic.
In response to the investigations, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in October ordered a third-party audit and paused payments to the 14 programs for 90 days. One program has since been shut down entirely.
Still, Trump and other Republicans have blamed Walz’s administration, with Trump calling Minnesota under the Democratic governor a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”
What People Are Saying
Flanagan posted on X on December 4: "Donald Trump’s attacks on the Somali community are not about safety. They’re about stoking division and fear."
President Donald Trump, at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.”
Ahmed Samatar, a professor of international studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul and an expert on Somali studies, told Newsweek: “I think most upright Somalis in the state of Minnesota accept that those [people] should be taken to the courts and the rule of law should be brought on them.”
Yusuf Abdulle, the Minneapolis-based imam who directs the Islamic Association of North America, told the Associated Press: “Fraud is an issue of individual wrongdoing, not community identity.”
What Happens Next
Flanagan is running for the open U.S. Senate seat created by Senator Tina Smith’s decision not to seek re‑election. She faces a contested primary, most notably against U.S. Representative Angie Craig, a more moderate Democrat.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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