Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wears hijab in solidarity with Somalis as feds probe multibillion-dollar fraud scandal
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Wears Hijab to Show Solidarity with Somali Community Amid Fraud Probe
WASHINGTON – Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan appeared in a hijab on a local television segment at Minneapolis’ Karmel Mall, signaling her support for the Somali community while the state faces a federal investigation into alleged fraud that has cost taxpayers billions.
In the video — released on Somali‑TV of Minnesota — Flanagan declared, “I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.” She urged shoppers to visit Somali‑owned businesses and to stand with their immigrant neighbors, noting that “things are scary right now.”
Flanagan, a Catholic, combined her message with a personal appeal to the broader public: “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.” The lieutenant governor was wearing the Islamic head covering, a gesture that attracted both praise and criticism.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, also a Catholic, dismissed the event as a “stunt,” saying that anyone with “common sense sees right through this." His statement added political heat to the already contentious investigations.
The fraud probe, overseen by the U.S. Treasury Department and a House committee, centers on Somali‑linked nonprofits that are accused of siphoning off about half of the $18 billion Minnesota has received from federal programs since 2018. Federal prosecutors describe the scheme as “industrial‑scale fraud,” citing the use of more than $250 million in stolen funds to buy luxury cars and real estate in countries as far afield as Kenya and Turkey.
The nonprofit Feeding Our Future was highlighted as a major player, with a recent conviction of dozens of individuals for diverting state aid intended for vulnerable populations. Governor Tim Walz has faced public scrutiny over his past handling of the funding, including a prior apology after realizing the scale of the irregularities.
In response to the investigation, Walz announced the formation of a statewide anti‑fraud task force, warning that “if you commit a crime against public dollars, you will go to prison.” He and Attorney General Keith Ellison were requested to deliver records to the House Oversight Committee by December 17 as part of Chairman James Comer’s inquiry into the scheme.
During her Karmel Mall appearance, Flanagan also highlighted her long‑time friendship with Nimco Ahmed, the Somali‑American state director of the Democratic Farmer‑Labor Party. Ahmed has previously drawn attention for her ties to Somali men who returned to Somalia in the 2010s and allegedly joined the terrorist group al‑Shabaab. The controversy surrounding Ahmed’s history adds another layer to the political discourse that Fr. Flanagan’s hijab gesture has ignited.
Flanagan, who is also running for the 2026 U.S. Senate Democratic primary, is no stranger to polarizing public displays. In March 2023 she wore a “Protect Trans Kids” shirt with a knife symbol during a Capitol press conference, and in August a viral video showed her in a black T‑shirt following a tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. In the wake of that incident, she released a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and gratitude to law enforcement.
The lieutenant governor’s appearance has drawn mixed reactions. While some praise the attempt to bridge communities, others—including Senate candidate Angie Craig and political outsider Billy Norden—have criticized the move as a calculated effort to win support from the city’s left‑leaning electorate.
Flanagan’s team has yet to issue a response to inquiries for further comment, leaving the debate unresolved. The unfolding scandal continues to test Minnesota’s leadership, underscoring the state’s ongoing struggle to manage federal aid and protect its diverse communities.
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