Vance also encouraged his audience Thursday to read stories about heroic moments from yesterday's shooting.
"We saw the very best of the United States of America," he said. "To every person who protected a friend, to every first responder, to every paramedic who made it so the death toll wasn’t higher, we love you, we’re proud of you."
Vance also added that: "I think it’s time we start asking some very hard questions about the root causes of this violence."
Vice President JD Vance discussed Wednesday's shooting at a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis following an event in Ohio this afternoon.
Vance, a father of three, noted that his five-year-old started kindergarten two days ago.
"The children who lost their lives and their future, they are your fellow citizens,” the VP said.
"When I first heard the news, I was worried the death toll was going to be higher, based on what the media reports were saying," he added. "If you are the praying type, I’d ask you say a prayer tonight for those kids who are still recovering."
Asked about Trump's efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, Leavitt says: "The president wants it to end, and that's why he's worked harder than anyone to end this war."
"But perhaps both sides of this war are not ready to end it themselves," she adds.
"I think the president will make some additional statements on this later."
"Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does not end school shootings. [P]rayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back. Enough with the thoughts and prayers," Psaki had written on X.
Ex-Biden press secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki criticized the power of prayer along with President Trump's D.C. anti-crime crackdown, amidst the Annunciation Catholic School shooting on Wednesday. MSNBC
"It's utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country, and it's disrespectful to the millions of Americans of faith," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a media briefing Thursday. REUTERS
"They're incredibly insensitive and disrespectful to the tens of millions of Americans of faith across this country who believe in the power of prayer, who believe that prayer works," Karoline Leavitt said.
"It's utterly disrespectful to deride the power of prayer in this country, and it's disrespectful to the millions of Americans of faith and I would encourage Ms. Psaki to pray for these families themselves, who need it right now more than ever."
Karoline Leavitt in response to the dismissal of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez and subsequent resignation of four other officials at the agency.
"One of those individuals wrote in his departure statements that he identifies pregnant women as pregnant people, so that's not someone who we want in this administration anyway.
"So if people aren't aligned with the president's vision and the secretary's vision to make our country healthy again, then we will gladly show them the door."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has taken to the briefing room podium.
“We are all eternally grateful to the heroic law enforcement officers and first responders whose courage and swift response aided all of those impacted by this horrible tragedy," she said of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commended "heroic law enforcement officers and first responders whose courage and swift response aided all of those impacted by this horrible tragedy," talking about the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting Wednesday. AP
"As director Kash Patel confirmed yesterday, the FBI is currently investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics."
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook sued President Trump in federal court Thursday for trying to fire her over mortgage fraud allegations.
The embattled Fed governor’s lawyers asked for a judge to block the president’s immediate attempt to oust her, which would allow her to keep her job while the case proceeds in Washington, DC, federal district court.
Former New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who played a pivotal role in the franchise’s most recent World Series win, announced Thursday he will run for Congress from his home state of Texas.
“As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great,” Teixeira, who also played for the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels in a 14-year big league career, said on X while announcing his run.
Big news: I’m ready to go!
As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great.
It takes teamwork to win – I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families,… pic.twitter.com/bVb6j9qP6i
“It takes teamwork to win – I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Teixeira, 45, will run to represent the Lone Star State’s 21st District, located in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio and west of Austin.
Former New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is moving his career towards politics. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Mark Teixeira announce he is running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Chip Roy. Teixeira for Congress
Monarez’s removal comes after she was reportedly issued an ultimatum by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr: quit or be fired.
Susan Monarez has resigned as director of the CDC after less than a month at the helm. REUTERS
Bullet holes are seen in windows at the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Global Headquarters following a shooting that left two dead, on August 9, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to the press at the Texas Capitol after Gov. Greg Abbott (not shown) finished signing three health-related bills. Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA / SplashNews.com
“As her attorney’s statement makes abundantly clear, Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
“Since Susan Monarez refused to resign despite informing HHS leadership of her intent to do so, the White House has terminated Monarez from her position with the CDC,” he added.
WASHINGTON — Labor Day gas prices are forecasted to be the lowest since 2020 — and the White House is celebrating.
Woman pumping gas at a gas station in California. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The average gas price across the country is predicted to be $3.15 per gallon, according to Gas Buddy — which is a notable 14 cents lower than in 2024.
The last time gas was that low during the travel-heavy holiday was in 2021, when gas stood at $3.16 a gallon. In 2020, gas was $2.22 on average.
Gas price chart showing average US prices from 2022–2025. GasBuddy
Heavy traffic on the FDR Drive in New York City on Aug. 28, 2024. Bloomberg via Getty Images
“From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans have been saving significant money at the pump all summer long with the cheapest gas prices in 5 years. President Trump promised to unleash American energy and make everyday life more affordable for families, and he delivered,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told The Post.
