Vice President Vance Critiques Psaki’s Comments on Prayer After Shooting

Vice President J.D. Vance has responded to criticisms from former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki regarding those who offered prayers following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota.

On Thursday, Vance took to X to address Psaki’s remarks, which criticized people expressing their condolences through thoughts and prayers. He defended the practice, stating, “We pray because our hearts are broken. We pray because we know God listens. We pray because we know that God works in mysterious ways, and can inspire us to further action. Why do you feel the need to attack other people for praying when kids were just killed praying?”

In another post, he added, “Of all the weird left-wing culture wars in the last few years, this is by far the most bizarre. ‘How dare you pray for innocent people in the midst of tragedy?!’ What are you even talking about?”

Psaki, who served under President Biden, expressed her disdain for the idea of prayer alone being sufficient in the wake of such violence. “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers do 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,” she stated.

In defense of prayer, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked during a press conference, “I saw the comments of my predecessor, Jen Psaki, 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.”

The incident itself was tragic, as two children, aged eight and ten, were shot during a morning Mass on Wednesday. The shooter, who later took his own life, was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Nineteen others were injured in this heartbreaking event.