President Donald Trump issued a strong response to remarks made by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde during the National Prayer Service held at the National Cathedral on Tuesday. The interfaith ceremony, traditionally a non-political event, became a platform for what Trump described as “radical left” commentary targeting his administration’s policies.
Bishop Budde, a prominent figure within the Episcopal Church, used her sermon to address concerns over LGBTQ+ rights and immigration under the Trump administration.
“In the name of a loving God, to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde said. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
She continued, highlighting the contributions of undocumented immigrants:
“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors… May I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away,” Budde stated, adding, “And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings… They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation.”
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Budde’s remarks, describing her as a “so-called Bishop” and accusing her of politicizing the sacred event.
“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hardline Trump hater. She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way,” Trump wrote.
Trump also challenged Budde’s statements on immigration, asserting she failed to acknowledge the “large number of illegal migrants” involved in crimes.
“She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA,” Trump added.
Trump went on to describe the service as “boring and uninspiring” and suggested Budde and her church owe the public an apology.
This isn’t the first time Bishop Budde has publicly criticized Trump. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, she penned an op-ed in The New York Times condemning Trump’s use of St. John’s Church as a backdrop for a photo-op and accusing him of threatening military force against “peaceful protesters.”
Budde’s remarks at the prayer service and subsequent media appearances have drawn both praise and criticism, further fueling debates over the role of faith leaders in political discourse.