Vice President JD Vance Defends Prayer After Minneapolis School Shooting

Vice President J.D. Vance has strongly defended the role of prayer following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, responding to criticism from former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Psaki had stated that "prayer is not freaking enough" to address mass shootings, emphasizing that prayers do not bring children back or make parents feel safe. Vance countered by asserting that prayer is a fundamental response to grief, stating that people pray because their hearts are broken and because they believe God listens and inspires action. He criticized the left for attacking prayer in the wake of tragedy, calling it one of the most bizarre cultural battles in recent years and stressing that no one sees prayer as a substitute for action. Vance, a practicing Catholic, emphasized that prayer aligns efforts with divine power and is essential before policy and healing processes can occur. His remarks highlight a sharp divide over how faith and practical measures are viewed in the context of responding to gun violence.