Jen Psaki Defends Remarks on Prayer After Minnesota Catholic School Shooting Backlash [WATCH]

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki addressed criticism Thursday after comments she made dismissing the effectiveness of “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of a Minnesota Catholic school shooting, as reported by Fox News.

Psaki, who now hosts a program on MSNBC, originally faced widespread backlash after posting on social media Wednesday following the shooting that left two children dead and more than a dozen injured.

In her post, she 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.”

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

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

She later expanded her remarks on her MSNBC program, saying that political leaders must move beyond prayer and take legislative action.

Jen Psaki is sobbing on live tv because Christians offered prayers to the families. pic.twitter.com/42Oo4xsoDv

— Scott Adams (@scottadamsshow) August 28, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

‘

“So, the issue I raised yesterday and I will raise again today and I will not stop raising, is that people in power, like, say, people in the White House, who are using their platforms to do anything other than call for action for sensible gun safety measures — they’re doing anything else, like attacking me, which is a waste of time. They’re doing anything but saying what is needed.”

In addition to her social media comments on prayer, Psaki criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce crime in Washington, D.C., writing:

“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.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Psaki during Thursday’s press briefing, saying:

“It is utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country, and it is disrespectful to the millions of Americans of faith. And I would encourage Ms. Psaki to pray for these families themselves, who need it right now more than ever.”

Press Sec. Leavitt: “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… I would encourage Ms. Psaki to pray… pic.twitter.com/ZeKIzjJPe3

— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) August 28, 2025

Psaki later clarified that she did not intend to dismiss prayer entirely but said it cannot be the only response. “Prayer is a powerful source of comfort for so many people around the world during difficult times, including me,” she said.

“I completely feel that way. And what I said yesterday and will say again now, though, is that prayer alone is not enough to prevent and end the crisis of gun violence in America. It’s not.”

She also cited statistics, saying there have been five school shootings since Aug. 1 and 57 since the start of 2024. Psaki argued for universal background checks, restrictions on firearm access for the mentally ill, and a ban on assault weapons.

“Look, to solve this long epidemic of violence requires action. And when kids in pews who are praying are shot — to quote the statement from Sisters of Mercy on the Minnesota Catholic school shooting — our response can no longer be thoughts and prayers alone,” Psaki said.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.