After two youngsters had been killed and seventeen others, largely youngsters, had been wounded by transgender shooter Robin Westman, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press convention the place he vilified “ideas and prayers,” exposing his anti-Christian stance. His phrases sparked a backlash, as outstanding voices from Bishop Robert Barron and Bishop Leah Daughtry to Vice President J.D. Vance spoke out in protection of the religion.
Frey’s vile assertion was even amplified by former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has made her opinion of Christianity clear up to now when she mocked believers, saying, “If you’re shouting ‘Jesus is Lord,’ you’re on the unsuitable rally.” After the Minneapolis capturing, Harris mentioned she had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to “share Doug and my grief for the households impacted and our gratitude for the primary responders and regulation enforcement on the scene.” She then quoted Mayor Frey instantly: “Mayor Jacob Frey mentioned it clearly: ‘Don’t simply say that is about thoughts and prayers proper now. These children had been actually praying.’”
As abhorrent as Frey’s “ideas and prayers” comment was, he went on to make one other remark that was equally anti-Christian however acquired much less consideration. “I’ve heard about a complete lot of hate that’s being directed at our trans group,” Frey mentioned. “Anyone who’s utilizing this as a possibility to villainize our trans group or some other group on the market has misplaced their sense of common humanity.”
He insisted that he hated to see any group attacked. This was puzzling, because it was not the transgender group that was attacked however the Catholic group, and nineteen individuals, largely youngsters, paid the value. Frey appeared extra involved about the opportunity of a hateful phrase directed at transgender individuals after the actual fact than he was concerning the homicide of Christians.
Against this, President Trump responded with each prayers and decisive motion for the Catholic victims. On Reality Social he wrote: “I’ve been absolutely briefed on the tragic capturing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI rapidly responded and they’re on the scene… Please be a part of me in praying for everybody concerned!” He additionally ordered flags lowered to half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims of the “mindless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025,” and spoke with Governor Tim Walz after the capturing.
FBI Director Kash Patel introduced that the Bureau was investigating the assault as each home terrorism and a hate crime concentrating on Catholics. This marks a pointy departure from the Biden administration, which got here below fireplace after the FBI’s Richmond Area Workplace memo labeled “radical-traditionalist Catholics” as potential home terrorists and even proposed infiltrating Catholic church buildings. Beneath Biden and former administrations, hate crimes in opposition to Christians had been not often categorized or prosecuted as hate crimes.
In February 2025, Trump issued Govt Order 14202, “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias.” The order reaffirmed that federal hate-crime legal guidelines prohibit offenses motivated by spiritual animus and directed federal businesses to implement these protections for Christians. It additionally established a Process Drive to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias within the federal authorities, led by Legal professional Common Pamela Bondi.
At its first assembly, Bondi pressured that the administration would implement the regulation and shield spiritual freedoms, criticizing the earlier administration for “largely ignoring” greater than 100 assaults on Catholic church buildings and pro-life facilities.
The important thing change was not the creation of recent hate-crime legal guidelines however the directive to implement present ones when Christians are focused.
In contrast to Frey, President Trump and the FBI acknowledged that the Catholic group—not the transgender group, had been the victims of this assault. Political and non secular leaders additionally rallied in help of the Catholic victims, condemning Frey’s misplaced concern for the transgender group.
Charlie Kirk was blunt in his response: “No, Mr. Mayor. Anyone who’s extra involved concerning the ‘trans group’ after this tragedy than the Catholic group that simply misplaced two little children to this monster has misplaced their sense of frequent humanity.”
Commentator David Marcus noticed: “Minneapolis Mayor Frey says he’s deeply involved that the trans group shall be vilified after this capturing. What he actually means is that he, and Democrats, don’t need it talked about.”
Vice President J.D. Vance additionally implicitly criticized this method, defending prayer and asking: “Why do you are feeling the necessity to assault different individuals for praying when children had been simply killed praying?”
On-line commentators echoed comparable outrage. Journalist Nick Sortor wrote on X: “I’ve heard about a complete lot of HATE being directed to our trans group.” HOW ABOUT THE HATE DIRECTED TOWARD CHRISTIAN KIDS, @MayorFrey?! Others blasted Frey for his dismissiveness: “In case your first transfer after children are murdered is to defend the ideology of the killer, you’re unfit to steer.” One other put up learn: “Simply unbelievable how dismissive he’s of the Catholics who died yesterday. When it’s a right-wing white man, all Republicans are at fault.”
Mary Katharine Ham famous the broader sample of media and political responses, evaluating it to the Tennessee “Three,” who disrupted the state capitol with bullhorns and chants that framed the shooter as a sufferer, and have become the celebrities of that story.
Conservative media additionally criticized Frey’s misplaced concern. The Every day Caller ran the headline: “Jacob Frey Chews Up Total Minute Advantage Signaling To Trans Neighborhood Following Catholic College Capturing.” The Every day Wire likewise famous: “Whereas town of Minneapolis reels within the aftermath of the tragic Catholic college capturing on Wednesday morning—throughout which two youngsters had been killed and practically 20 had been wounded—Mayor Jacob Frey took a second to remind people who they need to watch out to not assault the ‘trans group.’”