Trump calls bishop ‘nasty’ after she urges him to show mercy
Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, made headlines this week with her plea to US President Donald Trump

Bishop Budde urged US President Trump to show mercy on “gay, lesbian, and transgender children.
Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, made headlines this week with her heartfelt sermon at the National Cathedral’s prayer service for the presidential inauguration. Speaking on Tuesday, she used the opportunity to directly urge newly elected US President Donald Trump to “have mercy upon” immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. Her bold plea quickly captured national attention and stirred controversy all across the country and outside.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In her sermon, Budde spoke passionately about the fears and struggles of “gay, lesbian, and transgender children,” emphasizing that many live in fear for their safety regardless of political background. She also highlighted the plight of immigrant families, some fearing deportation and others fleeing war and persecution.
“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” Budde said, stressing their value to society. “They are good neighbors and faithful members of our churches, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras, and temples.” She grounded her plea in a spiritual message: “Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land.”
Her message, however, didn’t sit well with Trump. Early Wednesday morning, he took to social media with a lengthy post, calling Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.” He accused her of dragging her church “into the World of politics in a very ungracious way” and criticized her tone as “nasty.” Trump went on to describe the prayer service as “boring” and “uninspiring,” adding that Budde and her church “owe the public an apology!”
This isn’t the first time Budde has clashed with Trump. During his first term, she made headlines in June 2020 with an opinion piece in The New York Times. In it, she condemned Trump’s controversial photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., where he held up a Bible after federal officers forcibly cleared peaceful protesters demonstrating against the killing of George Floyd.
Budde, 65, has been a strong advocate for justice and inclusion throughout her career. She’s been leading the Episcopal Diocese of Washington since 2011, following 18 years as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. Her willingness to speak truth to power, even when it draws backlash, underscores her commitment to the values she preaches.