President Donald Trump has harshly criticized Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde after she delivered a plea for compassion toward immigrants and LGBTQ individuals during a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, January 21.
The prayer service marked Trump’s first full day in office following his inauguration on Monday, January 20, during which he declared the recognition of only two genders in America and signed executive orders targeting immigration.
During her sermon, Bishop Budde addressed Trump’s actions, urging him to show mercy to those fearful of his policies. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in families across the political spectrum, some of whom fear for their lives,” she said.
She also advocated for immigrants, stating, “The people who pick our crops, clean our offices, work in poultry farms, and staff our hospitals may not be citizens or have proper documentation, but the vast majority are not criminals. I ask you, Mr. President, to have mercy on those whose children fear losing their parents and to extend compassion to those fleeing war and persecution.”
Trump and his family appeared visibly unimpressed during the service, later dismissing the sermon as “not too exciting.” The remarks gained widespread attention on social media, prompting Trump to issue a scathing response on his Truth Social platform.
He referred to Budde as a “so-called Bishop” and accused her of being a “Radical Left hard-line Trump hater.” Trump wrote, “She brought her church into politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, not compelling or smart, and failed to address the crime wave caused by illegal migrants entering our country. Many of these individuals were released from jails and mental institutions.”
Trump further criticized the service as “boring and uninspiring,” adding, “She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology.”
The Bishop’s remarks and Trump’s response have sparked widespread debate, highlighting tensions surrounding the administration’s policies and the role of faith leaders in political discourse.
