Leavitt Criticizes Psaki’s Comments on Prayer After School Shooting

On Thursday, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt expressed strong disapproval of former press secretary Jen Psaki’s remarks regarding prayers after a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school. Leavitt described Psaki’s statements as “incredibly insensitive and rude.”

In a post on X, Psaki reacted to the shooting by a transgender individual, Robin Westman, who took the lives of 17 people at Annunciation Catholic Church. Psaki commented that Christians engage in “thoughts and prayers.” Leavitt conveyed to a Daily Caller correspondent that these remarks disrespected countless Americans of faith and the victims of the incident.

“I saw my predecessor, Ms. Psaki’s comments. Honestly, I find them terribly indifferent and rude to the tens of millions of people of faith in this country who believe in the power of prayer,” Leavitt stated. “It’s disrespectful, and I would encourage Ms. Psaki to pray for the families who need it more than ever.”

Additionally, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, also a Democrat, urged at a press conference for people of faith not to offer “thoughts and prayers” in the aftermath of such tragedies involving children. His remarks were supported by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and CNN’s Dana Bash during a segment on “Inside Politics.”

During the attack, Westman, a transgender man, fired through a glass window in the church, resulting in the deaths of several young children. In total, 14 children and three adults were injured and taken to the hospital. The shooter later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound behind the church.

In a troubling revelation, Westman’s manifesto indicated regret about his transgender identity, expressing a desire to not have “brainwashed” himself. He noted that despite understanding he is not a woman, he felt disconnected from his identity.

Notably, Westman had acquired all three firearms he possessed legally before the shooting took place.