(Rightallegiance.com) – In a poignant address during the inaugural prayer service held on Tuesday, the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, implored President Donald Trump to show compassion and understanding toward all Americans, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQ individuals and immigrants.
The service, which took place at the historic Washington National Cathedral, is a longstanding tradition observed by presidents from both political parties following their inauguration. President Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and second lady Usha Vance, was seated in the front row during the ceremony.
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde stated, directing her gaze toward the president. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families. Some who fear for their lives.”
She further emphasized the contributions of immigrants to American society, stating, “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues.”
As Budde concluded her sermon, President Trump leaned toward Vice President Vance and appeared to make a comment, to which Vance reportedly responded with a shake of his head.
Following the service, Trump, when questioned by reporters while walking through the White House colonnade with his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, offered a blunt assessment. “Did you like it? Find it exciting?” he asked reporters, before adding, “I didn’t think it was a good service, no. We could do much better.”
Early Wednesday morning, the president took to Truth Social to express his dissatisfaction with Budde’s remarks, referring to her as a “so-called Bishop” and a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.” In his post, he criticized her approach, stating, “She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.”
Efforts to obtain additional comments from the Trump administration were unsuccessful, as no official response was provided.
In an interview on ABC’s “The View,” Budde explained the intent behind her sermon, emphasizing the importance of national unity. “I wanted to emphasize respecting the honor and dignity of every human being,” she said. “I was trying to counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing and in which real people are being harmed.”
The sermon came a day after President Trump signed approximately 100 executive actions, many of which directly impacted LGBTQ individuals and immigrants. One of the most controversial orders signed by Trump mandated that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes—male and female. Another order eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within federal agencies.
Additionally, LGBTQ resources were removed from government websites, including a dedicated State Department page that previously promoted LGBTQ rights globally.
On immigration, Trump’s executive orders targeted birthright citizenship, halted all refugee admissions, and authorized military deployment to the southern border. Several of these policies are expected to face significant legal challenges, with Democratic attorneys general from multiple states filing lawsuits to block the birthright citizenship order, citing potential violations of the 14th Amendment. Furthermore, the administration ceased key functionalities of CBP One, a government application that facilitated migrant processing at border entry points.
Bishop Budde’s critique of Trump is not new. In June 2020, she publicly condemned his actions during the George Floyd protests when he ordered the clearing of Lafayette Square to pose for a photo with a Bible in front of St. John’s Church. Writing in The New York Times, she stated, “The God I serve is on the side of justice. Jesus calls his followers to emulate his example of sacrificial love and to build what he called the Kingdom of God on earth. What would the sacrificial love of Jesus look like now?”
As the nation continues to grapple with divisions and policy shifts, Budde’s sermon serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding human dignity, inclusivity, and the responsibilities of leadership.
The people she wants mercy for came in ILLEGALLY. Pardoning them would mean saying our laws don’t mean anything. Push hard and we’ll roll over. Sick….this woman is not a pastor of the Bible. She hates the truth and has fallen for all the leftist lies which lead to corruption!!