The White House on Thursday admonished Democrats who criticized the notion of sending “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of a shooting in Minnesota that left two children dead.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about comments from former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), who were critical of those offering “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of the shooting, saying it wasn’t enough to keep children safe.
“I saw the comments of my predecessor, Ms. Psaki, and frankly I think they’re incredibly insensitive and disrespectful to the tens of millions of Americans of faith across this country who believe in the power of prayer, who believe that prayer works,” Leavitt said at a briefing.
“It’s utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country,” Leavitt added, saying she would encourage Psaki and others to pray for the affected families in Minnesota.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed Wednesday morning in a shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Psaki, who served for more than a year as press secretary in the Biden White House and now hosts an MNSBC show, posted on the social platform X that prayer “is not freaking enough.”
“Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school,” Psaki posted. “Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers.”
Frey offered a similar message, noting that the shooting happened while the children inside the building “were literally praying.”
“These were American families, and the amount of pain that they are suffering right now is extraordinary,” Frey said Wednesday. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.”
Many Democrats have pushed for tougher gun laws to prevent the mass shootings that have become commonplace in the United States. Republicans have dismissed the argument that gun laws are the issue, instead arguing for tighter security at schools and pointing to mental health issues with the shooters.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Comments