Following President Trump's criticism of her remarks at the National Prayer Service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has offered a response. During the service held at Washington National Cathedral, the day after Trump's inauguration, Budde's sermon included pleas for compassion towards vulnerable groups, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
In her address, Budde specifically asked the President to show mercy to those living in fear, highlighting the anxieties of LGBTQ+ youth and immigrant families. She emphasized the contributions of immigrants, stating that the "vast majority... are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors."
Trump subsequently criticized Budde on Truth Social, characterizing her as a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" and suggesting both she and the church issue an apology. He took issue with her omission of what he described as crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and deemed the service "boring and uninspiring."
Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), an Episcopalian, also expressed disappointment with Budde's remarks, arguing that they politicized the prayer service. He cited Trump's appointments of Scott Bessent and Elon Musk to key positions as evidence against Budde's criticisms.
Budde's past opposition to Trump has been documented, including a 2020 video where she advocated for his replacement.
