Minnesota Dem Senate candidate faces call from opponent to apologize over viral 'pandering' hijab video
Minnesota GOP candidate David Hann demands public apology from Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan over hijab video amid alleged fraud scandal in Somali community.
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Minnesota Republican senatorial candidate David Hann is calling on one of his potential Democratic opponents to apologize after a video of her wearing a hijab and supporting the Somali community amidst a massive fraud scandal went viral on social media.
**"**It's emblematic of the way she and other Democrat politicians in Minnesota have behaved over the past decade or so. They're very political," said former Minnesota state Sen. David Hann, who is running for Senate in the Republican primary, of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s video wearing a hijab and defending the Somali community amid a massive fraud scandal that has rocked Minnesota over the past several years.
"They just are pandering to political constituencies, and they're not doing the job that they were elected to do."
In the video, which was widely criticized by conservatives on social media last week, Flanagan can be seen donning a hijab while talking to Somali constituents.
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Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is facing backlash over a viral video defending Somalis amid a massive fraud scandal. (Getty)
"Salam alaikum," Flanagan says in the video giving an Arabic greeting before saying, "The Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota."
"I am here shopping today and just encouraging other folks to show up, support our Somali businesses, support our immigrant neighbors, and I know that things are scary right now," Flanagan added in the video that was aired on Somali TV.
"Being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota," Flanagan added, while telling residents to "show up and support our Somali businesses and our immigrant neighbors."
"We’ve got your back," Flanagan said.
Flanagan, who has not spoken out in response to the viral investigation from journalist Nick Shirley highlighting the alleged fraud problem in Minnesota, faced criticism over the video from those who accused her of downplaying the scandal.
