Johnson slams Newsom for ‘anti-Christian rhetoric’ after Minnesota shooting

House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his “anti-Christian rhetoric” in the aftermath of the deadly shooting in Minnesota.

Johnson, speaking during his first press conference since lawmakers returned from an extended recess, noted that the Democrat governor had taken personal jabs at him in recent weeks and accused Newsom of “shamelessly” mocking the victims of the Annunciation Catholic School shooting, where two children were killed and 17 people injured during morning Mass.

NEWSOM REBUKES WHITE HOUSE DEFENSE OF PRAYER AFTER SHOOTING: KIDS WERE ‘LITERALLY PRAYING AS THEY GOT SHOT AT’

The Louisiana Republican pointed to Newsom’s post on X in response to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who condemned MSNBC commentator and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s comments criticizing the outpouring of “thoughts and prayers” and lack of focus on gun control.

Leavitt slammed Psaki’s comments as “incredibly insensitive and disrespectful” to Americans of faith.

“These children were literally praying as they got shot at,” Newsom fired back.

Johnson called Newsom’s remarks “sick.”

MINNESOTA BISHOP REBUKES DEM MAYOR FOR DISMISSING PRAYER FOLLOWING DEADLY CATHOLIC SCHOOL ATTACK

California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks on during a bill-signing event related to redrawing the state’s congressional maps on Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, California.  (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“I mean, like, why would we do that? Why would you do that? Except that you are starving for attention,” he said. “It’s detestable. Two children were murdered. More than a dozen were hospitalized, and Gavin Newsom’s response was to sneer and condemn those who seek out our creator in the darkest moments.”

“I just thought it was, I just thought it was evil. In fact, it’s indicative of such a profound moral decay that really the only hope for Gavin Newsom is prayer.”

Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment but did not immediately hear back.

MINNESOTA GOV. TIM WALZ SAYS IT’S TIME TO ‘TAKE SERIOUS ACTION’ AFTER DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING

Susan Saly, right, and Meagan Pierlouissi place flowers at a memorial at Annunciation Catholic Church after Wednesday’s school shooting on Aug. 28, 2025, in Minneapolis.  (Abbie Parr/AP Photo)

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., charged that the shooting was the result of Democratic policies and a simmering mental health crisis across the country.

“The way forward is to address the mental health crisis and empower law enforcement to crack down on crime, just as President Trump has done right here in our nation’s capital,” he said.

While Republicans have condemned the shooting, blamed Democrats and called for prayer in the aftermath, Democratic lawmakers have taken a different route similar to Newsom’s.

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“Don’t just say, ‘This is about thoughts and prayers right now.’ These kids were literally praying,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, D-Minn., said after the shooting. “They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”

Others, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have called for Congress to take action on gun control.