This was surprising to see.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, a prominent Episcopal leader in Washington, D.C., stirred controversy this week after delivering a prayer for mercy during a service attended by President Trump at the National Cathedral. In her prayer, she urged the president to show compassion for vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ children and immigrants, many of whom, she said, “fear for their lives.” Budde’s call for mercy was a clear appeal to Trump’s sense of humanity, but it did not sit well with the president or many in his political circle.
In response to the backlash, Bishop Budde, who has served as the Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s bishop since 2011, stated firmly, “I am not going to apologize for asking for mercy for others.” In an interview with Time, Budde explained, “I don’t feel there’s a need to apologize.” Her message, she emphasized, was one of compassion for all people, regardless of their political affiliation.
During the prayer service, Budde acknowledged that LGBTQ children exist in all types of families—Democratic, Republican, and Independent—and expressed concern for their well-being, especially given the political climate under the Trump administration. She also spoke out in support of immigrants, noting that the majority of them, regardless of their legal status, are “good neighbors” who pose no threat to society.
However, Trump’s response was less than gracious. He criticized the service, calling it “uninspiring” and “nasty in tone,” and dismissed it as “not too exciting.” He later took to Truth Social to call Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and demanded that she apologize for the service.
Other Republican figures quickly jumped on the criticism bandwagon, questioning both Budde’s faith and her ability to lead the diocese. One GOP House member even suggested that she should be “added to the deportation list.”
Despite the vitriol, Budde maintained her composure. She clarified that she does not hate President Trump, nor does she embrace the label of “radical left.” “I strive not to hate anyone,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to compassion over division.
The whole episode highlights the deepening political divide in the country, where even acts of religious goodwill are scrutinized through a partisan lens. Bishop Budde’s appeal for mercy, though rooted in Christian values, became a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars. For her part, she remains unshaken, standing by her call for compassion and understanding, regardless of political differences.