Staff Reports
In the aftermath of yet another tragic shooting, the familiar chorus begins anew. It’s a sad reminder of how, in these moments of deep sorrow, certain public figures rush to the political microphone faster than you can say “partisan agenda.” Former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki took to social media, wasting no time at all. Without waiting for crucial details about the incident, she decided to dismiss the power of prayer, suggesting that prayers don’t bring back kids or prevent these horrifying events. It’s almost as if she believes prayer is some sort of magical incantation rather than a source of solace and strength for the grieving families.
President Trump, meanwhile, was on the phone extending his condolences and offering support. His focus was on being proactive and assisting those affected. Jen Psaki’s comments, however, imply a disdain for something many hold dear—at a time when even a shred of decency would suggest holding off on political sniping. It’s interesting how quickly prayer becomes a target for criticism, as if millions find it more useful to direct anger at spiritual practice rather than at the shooter or the circumstances that allowed for such a tragedy.
Speaking of taking the wrong angle, the focus quickly turned to the crime crackdown, an area where Trump has made clear strides in places like Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser even acknowledged an 87% reduction in carjackings thanks to the surge of officers, highlighting that when crime goes down, neighborhoods indeed feel safer. Even so, there remains a strange reluctance among some leaders to openly appreciate these advancements, lest it reflect well on the former president.
For all the criticism aimed at prayer and proactive crime policies, it seems the real issue here is the misunderstanding of these tragedies and how complex societal problems can’t simply be solved by waving a governmental magic wand. The reality is, most Americans want their streets to be safer and their leaders to show empathy rather than play political games. They support taking steps to reduce crime and value the solace prayer can provide, especially in times of profound loss.
At the end of the day, the combination of downplaying the importance of prayer while criticizing effective crime policies seems an odd strategy to resonate with everyday Americans, who want nothing more than to feel secure and to believe in the goodness of their communities. These tragic events should unite us in our grief and determination for a better future, not drive us into our ideological corners. But judging from some responses out there, it’s clear there’s room for improvement.
