Karoline Leavitt SLAMS Jen Psaki for mocking 'thoughts and prayers' after Minnesota Catholic school massacre

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized those who have been dismissive of the "power of prayer" after two children were killed and 17 other people injured in a shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic Church and school on Wednesday. A transgender gunman took three firearms to the church where the school was gathering for the first mass of the year and shot at children through the stained glass windows.

Leavitt spoke to reporters on Thursday and was asked about comments from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, both of whom derided the common refrain after tragedies like these, the call to prayer.

"I saw the comments of my predecessor, Ms Psaki," Leavitt replied, "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, and who believe that in a time of mourning like this, when beautiful young children were killed while praying in a church.

​​​​​​​"It's utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country, and it's 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."

In the hours immediately following Wednesday’s shooting, Frey said, "Children are dead, there are families that have a deceased child. You cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy or absolute pain of the situation. Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now, these kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school, they were in a church."

Psaki, who is now an MSNBC host, told viewers Wednesday through tears, "we have been here so many times, so many times, and yet again, like clockwork, half the politicians in our country have little more to offer than thoughts and prayers. That is all they are offering." She later added, "We have seen this play out over and over again. There is a shooting, then come the thoughts and prayers, and then comes the attempt to shift the focus."

Two of the children who were injured in the shooting were identified on Thursday as 13-year-old Endre Gunter and 12-year-old Sophia Forchas. Gunter’s family said the 13-year-old was shot in the stomach while seated in the pews, and a fundraiser set up by Forchas' relatives said that the girl is "fighting for her life." Nine victims remain hospitalized, including one child still listed in critical condition