Former RNC Chair Michael Steele Calls Prayers ‘Nonsense’ and Accidentally Reminds Us Why the Party Had to Change
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele criticized the typical response of offering “thoughts and prayers” after the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis. The attack, carried out by Robin Westman, a 23-year-old transgender individual and former student, resulted in the deaths of two children aged 8 and 10 and injuries to 17 others during a morning Mass. Steele, aligning with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s sentiments, expressed frustration with political inaction and called out those blocking measures to reduce gun violence. Other commentators, including MSNBC’s Jen Psaki and Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, echoed calls for stronger gun control laws, emphasizing that prayer alone is insufficient to prevent such tragedies. The article also highlights controversy over funding refusals for school security and questions whether practical measures like armed school resource officers could help prevent future incidents.
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele reminded people on Wednesday why he was not a good fit for the party.
Steele, who chaired the RNC from 2009 to 2011 and is now an MSNBC political analyst, responded to the Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis earlier in the day, saying, “I agree with the mayor. The thoughts and prayers. I’m so beyond that nonsense — the lie of that.
“Because what we have are people who continue to stand in the way of actually doing something to stop the violence against their own kids,” he continued.
“It is amazing to me. We watch young kids die in classrooms and now in church, and all we get are thoughts and prayers,” Steele said.
Michael Steele: “The thoughts and prayers. I’m so beyond that nonsense. The lie of that” pic.twitter.com/AYVVSofCbf
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 27, 2025
The incident occurred during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, when a shooter opened fire through the windows into the church, killing two and injuring 17 others. The two children killed were 8 and 10 years old.
The lone shooter was identified as Robin Westman, 23, formerly known as Robert Westman, a male who identified as a female. Westman carried out the brutal attack on the school where he once attended before killing himself.
The mayor Steele was agreeing with was Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who said at a Wednesday news conference following the shooting, “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,” the mayor added.
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks after at least two people were killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, sources said. https://t.co/DDDRKlgkKo pic.twitter.com/Ai1faAXKZO
— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2025
The clear subtext of Frey’s words was, “Praying does not work. The kids were in a church, and God didn’t protect them.”
Jen Psaki, also with MSNBC, had a similar response to the shooting, posting on social media, “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers 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.”
Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers 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.
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) August 27, 2025
Obviously, the answer for both Psaki and Frey is more gun control laws.
Democratic Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said explicitly that this is what she wants.
“Jesus weeps in this moment, because we have free will, and we have been given all of the tools necessary to stop this violence against our children,” Flanagan told those gathered at a vigil Wednesday night at Annunciation Church.
“We need to love our babies and our children more than our guns,” she added.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Tuesday, “As to the weapons used to perpetrate this horrific attack, there was a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. All three had been lawfully purchased by the shooter.”
Would Flanagan outlaw all of them? Is that the action Steele is talking about?
Here’s another question: Why did the Gov. Tim Walz/Peggy Flanagan administration turn down the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s request for funds to provide security for Catholic schools? That request came a week after a transgender assailant shot and killed three students and three adults at The Covenant School, also a private Christian school.
The government action that could have prevented Wednesday’s tragic shooting, as in nearly all school shootings, would have been requiring and funding an armed school resource officer.
If Steele wants more than thoughts and prayers, he should start there.
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