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More than $100 million will be given to faith groups in the US to “harden their defenses against attacks and protect themselves,” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on Friday, in the wake of Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school.
“In the face of violent criminals and radical organizations intent on hurting American communities, the Trump Administration is helping houses of worship, schools and community centers to harden their defenses against attacks and protect themselves,” Noem wrote on X.
Around 600 groups are expected to benefit from the injection of federal money, which will be administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Funds will be used to pay for “security enhancements, like cameras, warning and alert systems, gates and lighting, access control systems and training programs for staff.”
Noem added: “Instead of using grant money to fund climate change initiatives and political pet projects, we are using this money to protect American communities—especially places where people gather in prayer.”
The funding was announced at the beginning of August.
A senior DHS official said at the time, “Whether they pray in a church, a mosque or a synagogue, all Americans should be able to practice their religion without fear of terrorism and violence. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS is laser-focused on ensuring the safety of the American people. Instead of using grant money to fund climate change initiatives and political pet projects, we are using this money to protect American communities—especially places where people gather in prayer.”
On Wednesday, a mass shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a back-to-school Mass.
The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at the school, fired through church windows, killing two young children,, and injuring 18 others, including 15 children and three adults in their 80s.
Westman died by suicide at the scene.
Authorities recovered writings indicating Westman’s obsession with mass shootings and Satanic themes. The FBI is investigating the attack as a possible act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
Westman was also transgender, and expressed remorse about being “brainwashed” into believing he was a woman.
