The Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, has openly criticized certain policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, calling for compassion towards marginalized groups.
President Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, 2025. Following tradition, he attended an inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday.
During the sermon, Bishop Budde, one of the invited speakers, directly appealed to President Trump, urging him to show mercy to communities affected by his administration’s immigration and LGBTQ+ policies. Trump, seated in the front row alongside former First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, listened without visible reaction.
“You have felt the providential hand of a loving God,” Bishop Budde said from the pulpit. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.”
Reports indicate that President Trump wasted no time in office, signing several executive orders on his first day. Among them was a directive mandating the federal government to recognize only two sexes, male and female, sparking fears within the LGBTQ+ community.
“There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in families across all political divides who fear for their lives,” Budde added, addressing the human impact of such policies.
The bishop also highlighted the contributions of immigrants, many of whom lack legal documentation but play critical roles in society. “They pick our crops, work the night shift in hospitals, and pay their taxes, even as they live in fear,” she said.
“Our God teaches us to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land,” Budde reminded, urging the President to consider the moral and spiritual implications of his policies.
The sermon has drawn widespread attention, underscoring tensions between the administration’s agenda and calls for inclusivity and compassion from religious leaders.
