August 3, 2025 New York Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly rebuked Texas Senator Ted Cruz following a social media post where Cruz appeared to mock Hochul for wearing a headscarf at the funeral of slain NYPD Detective First Grade Didarul Islam. The incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Muslim civil rights groups and other public figures, who have labeled Cruz's comments as disrespectful and hypocritical.

The controversy began after a photo of Hochul wearing a headscarf inside a mosque was posted on X (formerly Twitter). Cruz retweeted the image with the caption, "Um, wut?" The post quickly drew condemnation, with many pointing out that Cruz himself has worn a yarmulke at Jewish events and that it is customary for visitors to show respect for various religious customs by adapting their attire.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was quick to respond, calling on Cruz to apologize to both the family of Detective Islam and Governor Hochul. In a statement, CAIR representatives said Cruz’s actions were "despicable and disrespectful," and that he was using "a murdered Muslim NYPD officer’s funeral as an opportunity to amplify anti-Muslim hate."

A Funeral for a Hero

Detective Islam, a Bangladeshi American immigrant and father, was one of four people killed in a mass shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office building. Police say the gunman, Shane Tamura, 27, of Las Vegas, who reportedly had a history of mental health issues, used an assault rifle in the attack before turning the gun on himself.

Islam’s funeral, held at Parkchester’s Jame Masjid in the Bronx, drew thousands of mourners, including Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and a host of other New York elected officials. During the service, Tisch posthumously promoted Islam to detective first grade.

The funeral brought renewed calls from Hochul and others for a nationwide ban on assault rifles, echoing a familiar debate that has followed a string of mass shootings across the country.

Hochul's Direct Response

The Norwood News reached out to the offices of both Hochul and Cruz for comment. Hochul’s office referred to her direct response to Cruz on X, where she wrote: "I wore a headscarf to honor a fallen Muslim NYPD officer at his funeral. Respecting a grieving family’s faith is 'wut' leaders and anyone with basic decency would do."

Photo courtesy of Don Pollard / The Office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

The incident has also sparked a broader discussion about non-Muslim women wearing head coverings in religious or cultural settings. For decades, journalists and public figures have navigated these customs, often choosing to wear headscarves as a sign of respect. Notably, prominent journalists like Lesley Stahl and Christiane Amanpour have spoken about their experiences with this practice. Even former First Lady Melania Trump and her daughter Ivanka Trump covered their heads while visiting the Pope in 2017.

While the debate continues, Hochul's swift and direct response to Cruz’s criticism has been widely seen as a powerful defense of religious respect and basic decency in a time of mourning.