President Donald Trump spoke to Bishop Marian Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington during an interfaith service for the nation at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, the day after Trump's inauguration. He condemned the statement for making a politically charged statement.
“Let me ask you one last thing, Mr. President,” she said. “In the name of our God, have mercy on the people of our country who are scared right now. There are gays, lesbians, and lesbians. [transgender] Children from Democratic, Republican and Independent families, some fearing for their lives. ”
She continued: “The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”
“Mr. President, please have mercy on the children in our communities who fear their parents will be taken away from them, and that those fleeing conflict zones and persecution in their own lands find compassion. Please help me feel welcome here,” she said.
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Trump disparaged Budde and her performance in a post on Truth Social, suggesting she and her church should apologize to the public.
The president also noted that there are illegal immigrants who have entered the country and killed Americans.
“The so-called bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Meeting on Tuesday morning was a radical left-wing hardliner who hated Trump. She brought her church into politics in a very unscrupulous way. Her tone was mean. And it wasn't persuasive or persuasive.'' “Wisely,'' Trump said, not mentioning the illegal immigrants who have flowed into our country, many of them from prisons and psychiatric hospitals. on wednesday.
“Aside from her inappropriate remarks, the service was very boring and unimpressive. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology! ” he declared.
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Left: President Donald Trump speaks while signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Right: Bishop Marian Edgar Budde preaches at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2025. (Left: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg, Getty Images; Right: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), in a post on X, identified himself as an Episcopalian and took issue with Budde's comments.
“As a conservative Episcopalian who supports President Trump and his policies, I am deeply disappointed by Bishop Marian Budde's politicization of today's First National Prayer Service. An openly gay appointee “I am very sorry for ignoring Mr. Scott Bessent.” Bishop Budde's unwarranted criticism of Elon Musk, the genius first-generation legal immigrant who will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, is hollow. ,” Barr declared.
“Sadly, the only message Bishop Budde conveyed to the president through his unwelcome and hypocritical words was that the Episcopal Church's motto, 'Everyone is welcome,' clearly did not appeal to the majority of Americans who voted for Donald Trump.” That doesn't apply.”
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Budde has been vocal about his opposition to President Trump.
“We need to replace President Trump,” she said in a video clip posted on social media in 2020 by ABC News.
