During a prayer service at the National Cathedral on January 21, 2025, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, directed a powerful plea at President Donald Trump. She spoke on behalf of marginalized groups, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ youth, asking the president to show compassion and mercy. Her message, delivered in Trump’s presence, stirred strong reactions, including a sharp rebuke from the president himself.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: “The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors…may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.” pic.twitter.com/iXaHJrPsof
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025
Trump, in a Truth Social post, labeled Bishop Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and claimed she brought her church into politics in an “ungracious” manner. He criticized her abilities as a leader and demanded an apology. Budde, however, stood firm, making it clear she would not apologize for advocating for the vulnerable.
The sermon followed Trump’s swift enactment of policies during his first hours in office. These included an executive order defining gender strictly as male or female based on birth and increased measures targeting undocumented immigrants for deportation. In her address, Budde highlighted the fears of children in immigrant families and LGBTQ+ youth, calling for compassion from the administration. Trump’s visible discomfort during her remarks underscored their impact.
Reflecting on the fallout, Budde described the experience as sobering. While she received gratitude from those who felt represented by her words, she also faced an onslaught of hateful messages, some even wishing her harm. She expressed heartbreak over such vitriol but emphasized that the true focus should remain on those genuinely at risk—marginalized individuals living in fear for their safety and rights.
Budde dismissed Trump’s accusations of hate and radicalism, asserting that her words were rooted in dignity, kindness, and a desire to bridge divides. She also rejected Trump’s critique of her leadership, maintaining that such judgments are for others to make. Her priority, she insisted, was to advocate for a more compassionate and united nation.
Bishop Edgar Budde: “My responsibility yesterday morning was to pray to the nation for unity… Unity requires a certain degree of mercy… We need to treat everyone with dignity. I was trying to counter the narrative that is so divisive in which real people are being harmed.” pic.twitter.com/dJ7VZW8MUd
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) January 22, 2025
The bishop hopes her message inspires others to challenge divisive policies and foster a culture of respect in public discourse. As she noted, the escalating “culture of contempt” poses a real threat to the country’s fabric, and her sermon was a call to action to counter it with dignity and mutual understanding.
In her concluding thoughts, Budde emphasized that her plea wasn’t about her but about the kind of society the nation should strive to become—one where diverse perspectives coexist respectfully, and the most vulnerable are treated with mercy and humanity. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to that vision, undeterred by criticism or personal attacks.