Episcopal Bishop Asks Trump To ‘Have Mercy’ On LGBTQ Youth And Illegal Aliens At National Prayer Service

January 21, 2025

Rt. Rev. Marian Edgar Budde speaks at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2025. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP) (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP, (via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
5:44 PM – Tuesday, January 21, 2025

During a message at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., an Episcopal bishop called on President Donald Trump to protect the lives of undocumented immigrants and “transgender children” who “fear for their lives.” inappropriately asked them to show mercy. words.

Bishop Marian Edgar Budde is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She is the first woman to hold the position.

Today, she has the great honor of unifying America around the message of Christianity at the dawn of a new administration. Instead she was embarrassed… pic.twitter.com/IFA6a3nZno

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 21, 2025

Episcopal Bishop Marian Edgar Budde's comments come after the new president signed a number of executive orders aimed at securing the southern border and purging extremist far-left ideology from American institutions. .

“In the name of our God, have mercy on the people of our country who are now afraid,” Bishop Budde said at the National Prayer Meeting. “Democrats, Republicans, and independent families have gay, lesbian, and transgender children whose lives are in fear.”

“And the people who harvest crops, clean office buildings, work in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, wash dishes after eating at restaurants, work night shifts in hospitals, they don't. You must be a citizen or have the proper documentation,” Budde continued. “But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our church…”

“Mr. President, please have mercy on the children in our communities who fear their parents will be taken away. Also, please give compassion and welcome to those fleeing conflict zones and persecution in their own lands. Please help me do that.’ Here it is,” she added.

Budde's comments suggesting virtue came after the Republican president signed an executive order denouncing “efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex” and saying there are only two genders. Announced. The directive also prohibits grant recipients from using federal taxpayer funds to promote far-left gender ideology and requires executive agencies to cease promoting gender ideology in their own operations. I'm looking for it.

President Trump also issued a number of executive orders related to illegal immigration, including an order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, restricting birthright citizenship for undocumented aliens, and declaring a national emergency at the border. Signed. In the coming days, the president is expected to begin deporting illegal aliens.

President Trump said Budde's decision was “contrary to the teachings of Jesus and everything the church stands for” as he used riot police to remove a violent Black Lives Matter (BLM) mob from the venue. It has a history of being criticized for saying, Around the White House many years ago.

Many social media users are also questioning why there was “no vetting process” for allowing a left-wing, anti-Trump bishop to lead national prayers at President Trump's inauguration.

Some felt it was necessary to correct some of the bishop's “biblically inaccurate beliefs” and teachings.

“Apparently, the ‘pastor’ forgot this part. Genesis 1:27-28 – So God created man in His own image; “He created man and woman. If you're going to be a man of the cloth, it's best to read the rulebook [and] Don’t think for yourself,” one user from X said.

Statement regarding Marian Edgar Budd

I refuse to call her a “bishop”, but it is scripturally/theologically impossible for her to be a bishop.

Exhibition of her political activities at the National Cathedral, to the president's “captive” audience #Trump And Vice President Vance, at best… pic.twitter.com/HAqGcgszVs

—Father Eric Fraize, OMV (@realEricFraize) January 22, 2025

Bishop Budde’s official biography on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., reads: and consideration for creation. ”

Other social media users have noted that the bishop's own Instagram page is filled with posts that indicate she is less interested in the Bible and more concerned with social justice and issues related to the LGBTQ community. emphasized.