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Thursday, February 13, 2025

‘Have Mercy’: Episcopal Bishop Puts Trump on the Spot Over Immigration, Anti-LGBQT Policies

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WASHINGTON, USA — In a sermon delivered at the Washington National Cathedral’s interfaith inaugural prayer service, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, the Right Rev Mariann Budde, issued a direct and pointed appeal to President Donald Trump, urging compassion toward communities affected by his administration’s new policies.

Speaking from the pulpit with Trump seated in the front row, Budde implored, “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.”

Her remarks, referencing concerns over immigration and LGBTQ+ policies, drew attention for their candid critique of the newly inaugurated president.

“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives,” Budde said.

The bishop also alluded to Trump’s earlier invocation of divine providence during his inaugural address, urging him to extend mercy to vulnerable populations.

The sermon came just hours after Trump signed several executive orders dismantling Biden-era protections for transgender individuals and initiating steps to overhaul immigration policies.

Among the directives were moves to restrict federal recognition to binary genders, suspend the refugee admissions programme, and lay groundwork for mass deportations.

“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” Budde declared during her homily.

“They pay taxes, and are good neighbours. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwara and temples. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land.”

Trump Reacts

Trump appeared unmoved during the service, later telling reporters, “I didn’t think it was a good service, no. They could do much better.”

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, he escalated his response on his Truth Social platform, labelling Budde as a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.”

He accused her of being “nasty in tone” and demanded an apology from her and her church.

“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater,” Trump wrote.

“She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.”

“She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people.

“Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.

“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!”

The criticism reflects ongoing tensions between Trump and Budde, who previously clashed with the former president during his first term.

In 2020, Budde condemned Trump’s photo opportunity outside St John’s Episcopal Church, where he held up a Bible after federal forces cleared peaceful protesters.

Divisive Reactions

Trump’s allies quickly rallied to his defence.

Representative Mike Collins of Georgia suggested that Budde “should be added to the deportation list,” a comment that drew sharp rebukes online.

The prayer service, a long-standing tradition welcoming presidents of both parties, is typically an occasion for unity and spiritual reflection.

While prayers for the success of the new administration were included, Budde’s homily represented a rare departure into direct political critique.

Observers remain divided over the implications of Budde’s remarks, with some praising her courage and others criticising her for politicising a sacred event.

The controversy underscores the polarised environment in which religious leaders find themselves navigating faith and politics in modern America.

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