Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan wore a hijab during a local television appearance to express solidarity with the state’s Somali community.

In a video released Thursday by Somali TV of Minnesota, Flanagan appeared at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis alongside local officials while wearing the Islamic head covering, New York Post reported.

“I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,” Flanagan said during the visit.

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“I am here shopping today and just encourage other folks to show up, support our Somali businesses, support our immigrant neighbors, and I know that things are scary right now,” added Flanagan, a Catholic.

Her appearance drew criticism from Republican figures. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota described the visit as a political stunt, saying that “anyone with common sense sees right through this stunt.”

The visit came as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a news conference denouncing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions in the Twin Cities area, including reported detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Karmel Mall earlier this week.

During her appearance at Karmel Mall, Flanagan acknowledged her long-standing relationship with Nimco Ahmed, the Somali-American state director of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, referring to her as a friend of 25 years.

Flanagan is currently running in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith, who is not seeking re-election in 2026.

Responding to criticism over the hijab, Flanagan’s spokesperson said, “While the Lt. Governor was showing her support for small businesses and communities being terrorized by ICE, she was handed a scarf by a friend and briefly wore it out of respect.”

“The real outrage should not be a scarf, but masked men throwing American citizens into vans and violating the constitution.”