- Bishop Mariann Budde used her National Prayer Service sermon to criticize Trump’s policies on immigration, LGBTQ rights, and refugees, urging him to show "mercy."
- Trump and conservatives accused Budde of politicizing the event, with Trump calling her a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater."
- Budde defended undocumented immigrants as "good neighbors" and called for compassion toward marginalized groups, sparking backlash from Republicans.
- Trump fired back on Truth Social, highlighting crimes by undocumented immigrants and accusing Budde of ignoring real-world consequences.
At the National Prayer Service, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance sat stone-faced as Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington delivered a sermon that quickly turned into a political rallying cry. The service, held on Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral, was intended to foster unity and reflection. Instead, it became a platform for Budde to lecture Trump on immigration, LGBTQ rights, and her vision of “mercy” for marginalized groups—prompting a fiery response from the president.
Budde, a self-described advocate for progressive causes, used her pulpit to urge Trump to “have mercy” on immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ youth, claiming they “fear for their lives.” Her remarks, which many conservatives viewed as a thinly veiled attack on the president’s policies, drew sharp criticism from Trump and his allies, who accused her of politicizing a sacred event.
A sermon or a political speech?
Budde’s sermon began with a call for unity but quickly shifted to a direct appeal to Trump. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared,” she said, addressing the president. “There are gay, lesbian, transgender children, Democratic, Republican, independent families—some who fear for their lives.”
She went on to defend undocumented immigrants, describing them as “good neighbors” and “faithful members” of U.S. churches, mosques, and synagogues. “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” Budde asserted. She also called on Trump to aid refugees fleeing war zones and persecution, urging him to “find compassion.”
For many people, Budde’s sermon was less about compassion and more about advancing a liberal agenda. For example, she failed to address the real-world consequences of illegal immigration, such as violent crimes committed by undocumented individuals.
“She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.”
Trump fires back
Trump didn’t hold back in his criticism of Budde, calling her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” who “brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.” He described her tone as “nasty” and her remarks as “not compelling or smart.”
Republicans echoed Trump’s sentiments, with House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) calling Budde’s remarks “extremely out of line and out of touch.” Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) went further, suggesting on social media that Budde “should be added to the deportation list.”
Budde’s sermon was hardly her first foray into politics. As the Episcopal bishop of Washington since 2011, she has been a vocal advocate for progressive causes, including racial equity, gun control, and LGBTQ rights. In 2020, she criticized Trump for holding a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church after authorities cleared a protest in Washington, D.C.
Her latest remarks, however, have drawn ire from conservative religious leaders. Pastor Rob McCoy, co-founder of Turning Point Faith, accused Budde of “substituting the orthodox teaching of Christianity for an emphasis on sexual preference,” a trend he believes has driven many Americans away from traditional churches.
The controversy surrounding Budde’s sermon underscores the deep political and cultural divides that continue to plague the nation. Her remarks are a shining example of the liberal bias that has infiltrated institutions like the church.
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