VP Vance Defends Prayer After Minneapolis School Shooting

Following a deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 14 others, a heated debate erupted over the role of prayer in responding to such tragedies. Vice President JD Vance strongly defended prayer, emphasizing that it stems from broken hearts and faith in God's listening and inspiration for action, criticizing left-wing figures like former White House press secretary Jen Psaki who dismissed prayer as insufficient and called for more direct action on gun control. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the criticism of prayer, noting that the children were literally praying during the shooting, which sparked backlash from conservatives defending faith-based responses. The alleged shooter, a 23-year-old male named Robert Westman, barricaded the church door and died by suicide, with details emerging about his disturbing online behavior and manifesto. The incident has deepened the cultural divide between those who see prayer as a meaningful response and those demanding policy changes to prevent gun violence. This debate reflects broader national tensions on how best to respond to mass shootings, balancing faith, grief, and calls for political action.