Former Biden administration spokeswoman and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki reacted to Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis by blasting both the power of prayer and President Donald Trump’s anti-crime measures in Washington, D.C.
Authorities said the gunman opened fire during morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others, including 14 students. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was found dead at the scene.
Psaki’s Comments
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Psaki wrote:
“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.”
She followed with another message:
“When kids are getting shot in their pews at a catholic school mass and your crime plan is to have national guard put mulch down around DC maybe rethink your strategy.”
Her remarks referenced Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and assume oversight of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in an effort to address rising crime.
Pushback on Psaki
Psaki’s criticism drew swift backlash on social media.
Karen Hamilton, a Virginia House of Delegates candidate, responded: “I don’t expect a spiritually blind person to understand prayer, but it is real. Today I attended the funeral of a baby, and often when parents are in the depths of grief, Jesus is their greatest comforter.”
Washington Examiner contributor Kimberly Ross noted Psaki’s own past words, pointing out a 2017 post where Psaki wrote: “Thoughts and prayers with @SteveScalise and officers shot.”
Journalist Megan Basham wrote: “Your party encourages mental illness in telling men they can be women, then… screams ‘prayers are not enough’ when insane transgenders shoot up schools. Prayer is vital. So is a mentally balanced populace that recognizes reality.”
Rusty Weiss of Red State added: “Good of you to point out that the National Guard needs to be deployed to every major Democrat-run city to prevent their mentally ill trans groupies from killing people.”
Shooter Identified
Law enforcement sources confirmed the suspect as Robert, later legally renamed Robin, Westman. Court records from 2019 show a juvenile petition noting Westman’s name change and self-identification as female.
