Karoline Leavitt blasts Jen Psaki for dismissing prayer after shooting: 'Incredibly insensitive'

Michie · Thursday at 3:43 PM

WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned her predecessor Jen Psaki on Thursday for comments dismissing prayer in the wake of a mass shooting at a Roman Catholic school in Minnesota that left two children dead.

"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," Leavitt said during a press briefing at the White House.

Hours after the Wednesday morning massacre at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis, where a trans-identified man named "Robin" Westman murdered two children and injured more than a dozen others during a morning Mass, Psaki tweeted that prayer is insufficient to address such violence.

Continued below.

Karoline Leavitt blasts Jen Psaki for dismissing prayer after shooting: 'Incredibly insensitive'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned her predecessor, Jen Psaki, on Thursday for comments dismissing prayer in the wake of a mass shooting at a Roman Catholic school in Minnesota

www.christianpost.com

RileyG · Thursday at 3:47 PM

Yup! Prayer is always important. Those who dismissed are only showing their anti-Christian bigotry!

Michie · Thursday at 4:15 PM

Franciscan University claps back at Jen Psaki’s anti-prayer rhetoric

August 28, 2025 at 11:00 am ET

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, a shooter opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during the opening Mass for the first week of school.

Several public figures commented on the tragedy, saying that “thoughts and prayers” are not enough when addressing this situation.

One of these public figures included former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

In a viral X post, Psaki attacked those assuring the Minnesota Catholic school of their prayers for the shooting victims and all those involved.

Thousands of users responded, blasting Paski for her anti-prayer rhetoric.

The Franciscan University of Steubenville provided a powerful response, explaining that prayer is the “very place we meet Christ, who himself was unjustly slain.”

ChurchPop has the full story here.

Hvizsgyak · Thursday at 5:08 PM

Michie said:
Several public figures commented on the tragedy, saying that “thoughts and prayers” are not enough when addressing this situation.

I feel these people do not put much faith in God. Yes, saying "I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers" may sound like lip service to a faithless person but to a faithful person, they know what will happen. A faithful person is asking God's love and mercy and whatever else is needed by the victim and their family to blanket them in this horrible time. God will give the perfect response to the victims and their families in ways we cannot imagine. So, for people who feel like they may not or cannot adequately help a victim or their family, by praying, they know God will do the right thing for the victim and family.

The catch is then, you do need to actually pray to God to begin the process. You just can't say, "I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers" and then not pray to God.

Lukaris · Thursday at 5:41 PM

Such statements are so ignorant and insensitive in general and towards many people that vote for them. I tend to think that the “religious right” automatically pops up in their heads when they get all frantic about thoughts and prayers. Personally, I am a conservative but Christians have different political outlooks. For ex. Christians have all different views on the Second Amendment. Why get apoplectic towards Christians who support gun control & also offer thoughts and prayers?

These are not my general political views but realize that politics are of the world and not of faith although our faith & feelings will overlap at times.

RileyG · Thursday at 7:06 PM

Hvizsgyak said:
I feel these people do not put much faith in God. Yes, saying "I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers" may sound like lip service to a faithless person but to a faithful person, they know what will happen. A faithful person is asking God's love and mercy and whatever else is needed by the victim and their family to blanket them in this horrible time. God will give the perfect response to the victims and their families in ways we cannot imagine. So, for people who feel like they may not or cannot adequately help a victim or their family, by praying, they know God will do the right thing for the victim and family.

The catch is then, you do need to actually pray to God to begin the process. You just can't say, "I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers" and then not pray to God.

Amen, brother! Very well said!

Tuur · Thursday at 8:27 PM

Lukaris said:
Such statements are so ignorant and insensitive in general and towards many people that vote for them. I tend to think that the “religious right” automatically pops up in their heads when they get all frantic about thoughts and prayers. Personally, I am a conservative but Christians have different political outlooks. For ex. Christians have all different views on the Second Amendment. Why get apoplectic towards Christians who support gun control & also offer thoughts and prayers?

These are not my general political views but realize that politics are of the world and not of faith although our faith & feelings will overlap at times.

They mock prayer because of how they see God. If they do not believe God exists, then to them it's meaningless mouthings. The same if they believe God is indifferent. They show contempt for what they do not believe. The One who hears prayer kept me and my family, and family members, safe through Hurricane Helene, with one family member in what a lineman called a pocket where there wasn't much damage. That family member didn't even know the hurricane had passed through. I'm sure they would scoff at that as well.

BPPLEE · Thursday at 9:56 PM

Conversation

Jen Psaki
@jrpsaki

Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers.

CNN jumped to the front of the line defending her.

Michie · Friday at 10:09 PM

Newsom, Minneapolis mayor who OK'd Islamic call to prayer in 2023, also criticized 'thoughts and prayers'

JD Vance denounces ex-Biden spox Jen Psaki for mocking prayers after Minneapolis shooting

Vice President J D Vance publicly condemned former Biden aide and MSNBC host Jen Psaki for criticizing Americans for praying in response to a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis

www.christianpost.com

Michie · Saturday at 9:07 AM

Greg Laurie, Franklin Graham respond to critics of prayer for Minneapolis Catholic school shooting victims

https://www.christianpost.com/news/greg-laurie-franklin-graham-respond-to-critics-of-prayer.html

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Karoline Leavitt blasts Jen Psaki for dismissing prayer after shooting: 'Incredibly insensitive'

Michie

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