California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing backlash after making remarks perceived as dismissive toward the power of prayer following a deadly mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis.

According to Breitbart, Newsom's comments, made in response to a White House statement after a tragic school shooting, have reignited fierce debate about the role of faith, statements of sympathy, and gun control legislation in the wake of gun violence.

The shooting took place during morning mass at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, when an assailant opened fire inside the chapel. Two young students were killed, and 17 others were injured in the sudden attack. The event drew widespread condolences from public officials and religious leaders.

Newsom responds to press secretary post

The controversy started shortly after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that “prayer works” in response to the shooting. Many Democrats questioned the efficacy of such statements, arguing that action is more effective than public displays of sympathy.

In reaction, Newsom took to his official X account—formerly known as Twitter—to express his frustration. “There [sic] children were literally praying as they got shot at,” he posted, casting doubt on the ability of prayer to prevent tragedies.

His message was interpreted by critics as a mocking of the victims’ faith rather than as a critique of political inaction. The backlash was swift, with some accusing him of using the victims to make a broader political point.

Gun control debate reignited among Democrats

The comments brought renewed attention to partisan ideologies surrounding gun violence. For many Democratic leaders, the phrase “thoughts and prayers” has come to symbolize a lack of urgency on legislative reform.

After this most recent school shooting, some lawmakers once again stressed the need for “red flag” laws—regulations that allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed mentally unfit. However, critics noted that Minnesota already enforces such laws and has several gun control policies in place.

This discrepancy raised concerns about the effectiveness of current legislation and prompted questions about what additional measures might be needed to prevent similar incidents.

Critics accuse Newsom of hypocrisy on religion

Newsom’s comments reopened past controversies surrounding his stance on religious freedom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he enacted restrictions that included a temporary ban on most religious gatherings across California.

The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that his order to prohibit communal worship inside private homes was unconstitutional. This decision was seen by some as a win for religious liberty after months of legal challenges to the governor's public health policies.

Additionally, Newsom has actively promoted California as a “haven” for abortion services. He has overseen programs designed to assist individuals from states with stricter abortion laws in accessing care in California, sometimes subsidizing their travel costs.

Opposition voices grow louder

Batya Ungar-Sargon, a political commentator who previously supported liberal causes but now backs former President Donald Trump, condemned Newsom’s remarks. She warned that Democrats were “blaming the victims” rather than showing compassion for the children and families affected.

Others echoed her concern, arguing that comments like Newsom’s distract from the urgent need to curb gun violence and instead provoke greater division around religious belief and political ideology.

Supporters of Newsom saw his comment as a reflection of frustration over decades of inaction on firearms in the U.S., particularly after repeated mass shootings in schools and places of worship.

Calls for a unified response to gun violence

This incident has intensified calls for a broader national discussion on both gun legislation and the cultural responses that follow mass shootings. Both sides of the political aisle face renewed pressure to find common ground in the ongoing debate.

Some advocates believe that attacking religious practices or dismissing expressions of grief damages efforts to build consensus. Others argue that challenging long-standing traditions like offering prayers is necessary to shake the public and policymakers out of complacency.

As the nation processes another school tragedy, the divide over how best to honor victims and prevent future attacks remains stark. Whether this moment leads to policy change or deepens partisan tensions is yet to be seen.