UPDATE: Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki faces intense backlash following her comments about the tragic Minneapolis Catholic school shooting that left two children dead and 18 others injured on Wednesday. Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as the Director of National Intelligence and a former Democrat-turned-Republican, has accused Psaki of exhibiting a “hatred of God” in response to her controversial statement on public prayer.
Psaki sparked outrage on X (formerly Twitter) with her post stating, “prayer is not freaking enough,” claiming that thoughts and prayers do not prevent school shootings or comfort grieving parents. Her remarks have since gone viral, amassing over 15 million views.
In a powerful rebuke, Gabbard took to X to ask, “Why do people like Jen Psaki have such a visceral negative reaction to those praying for the victims?” She accused critics of prayer of denying God’s love, labeling them “agents of darkness.”
Gabbard emphasized the need for light in dark times, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” She also criticized broader Democratic policies, describing transgender rights as “insanity and darkness.”
The response from the Republican camp has been swift. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Psaki’s remarks as “utterly disrespectful” and encouraged her to pray for the families affected by the tragedy. Vice President JD Vance questioned Psaki’s rationale, stating, “Why would Jen Psaki attack people for praying when those children were literally praying as they were murdered?”
Minneapolis now stands at the crossroads of America’s gun violence epidemic and the ongoing debate over how the nation processes grief and advocates for change. The fallout from this incident underscores a growing divide in the nation’s response to such tragedies.
As this situation develops, public sentiment appears to be rallying around the importance of prayer and support for the victims’ families. Gabbard’s comments and the ensuing controversy highlight not only the political implications but also the deep emotional impact on communities grappling with loss.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.
