California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly ridiculed prayer in the wake of a mass shooting at a Catholic school this week.
On social media, the Democrat mocked those across the country who called for prayers following the tragedy in Minnesota, writing that the two children killed and seventeen wounded were in the act of prayer when the shooting took place.
“These children were literally praying as they got shot at,” Newsom wrote.
The post has been interpreted by many as a slight against faith and an attack on Christianity.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to Newsom’s comment on Friday, calling his rhetoric ‘evil’ — and affirming: “Prayer works, Governor.”
“The families impacted by this horrific event are people of faith. The kids at Annunciation CATHOLIC School are people of faith. They need our prayers,” Ivey wrote.
“I am disheartened to see this kind of evil rhetoric coming from anyone, let alone a fellow governor.”
Following the shooting, Ivey ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims.
Like Newsom, former White House Press Secretary and CNN host Jen Psaki expressed anger over the calls for prayer.
“Prayer is not freaking enough,” she said. “Prayer 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.”
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) responded to Newsom’s and Psaki’s comments.
“Gavin Newsom is ridiculous. He’s becoming a caricature of something. I don’t have words to respond to that; I can not believe he has gone that low to get attention,” Johnson said. “It’s incredible to me that Jen Psaki and Gavin Newsom and others would attack religion and diminish the faith of millions of Americans at a time of such great tragedy.”
Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also called out her predecessor for the remarks on Thursday.
“I saw the comments of 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, who believe that prayer works.”
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
