White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was outraged yesterday that her predecessor, Biden-era White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asked that politicians offer something more than prayer in the wake of the Minneapolis school shooting that left two children dead and 14 people injured.Prayer is not freaking enough, Psaki posted to social media. 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. Related Jen Psaki warns Democrats not to cave to the right on trans rights 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. Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) August 27, 2025 Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Leavitt was asked about Psakis comments at the White House press briefing yesterday, and she said that Psakis comments were incredibly insensitive and disrespectful to the tens of millions of Americans of faith across this country who believe in the power of prayer.In a time of mourning like this, when beautiful young children were killed while praying in a church, its utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country, Leavitt continued. I would encourage Ms. Psaki to pray for these families themselves, who need it right now more than ever.Karoline Leavitt: "I saw the comments of 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." pic.twitter.com/oVL3I52MHe Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 28, 2025 Psakis argument is one that has become common among liberals in the past decade, that politicians should be offering more than thoughts and prayers after mass shootings and should instead offer more material solutions to prevent those shootings from happening, like gun control legislation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) made similar comments shortly after the shooting on Wednesday: Dont just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.The vice president also attacked Psaki and Frey, saying that literally no one thinks that prayer is a substitute for action. He did not say what action the administration is taking on this issue. He then attacked Psaki for her comments, asking, Why do you feel the need to attack other people for praying when kids were just killed praying? 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? https://t.co/KfTJ71Hcjf JD Vance (@JDVance) August 28, 2025Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.