Trump Criticizes Bishop's Call for Mercy on LGBTQ+ Members and Immigrants, Demands Apology

WASHINGTON: A fiery war of words erupted between President Donald Trump and Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde after the bishop used the National Cathedral prayer service to directly urge the President to show compassion toward immigrants and LGBTQ+ youth.

Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, called for mercy and inclusivity in her sermon, highlighting the fear and marginalization faced by gay, lesbian, and transgender children, as well as immigrants.

"There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in families who fear for their lives. Our God teaches us to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land," Budde said during the service. She praised immigrants as contributors to society and faithful members of various religious communities, urging Trump to reconsider his stance on marginalized groups.

Trump Responds with Sharp Criticism

In a sharp rebuke, Trump called Budde a "radical left Trump hater" and accused her of politicizing the church. "She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way," Trump wrote in a statement, demanding an apology from Budde and her church.

Trump criticized the tone of the sermon, describing it as "nasty" and the event as "uninspiring and boring." He later added in a statement: "Budde and her church owe the public an apology!"

Bishop Budde Defends Her Sermon

In a CNN interview, Budde defended her message, stating her sermon was intended to "gently counter" negative portrayals of vulnerable individuals often targeted in political rhetoric.

"I wanted to emphasize there is room for mercy and broader compassion. We don’t need to generalize or harshly depict some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, who are, in fact, our neighbors, friends, and children," Budde said.

She maintained that her call for compassion aligned with core religious teachings and aimed to highlight the humanity of marginalized groups.

Reactions Spark Polarization

While some Trump supporters criticized Budde for her remarks, others praised her for taking a stand. The event has once again underscored the divide between Trump’s policies and calls for greater inclusivity from religious leaders.


The clash between President Trump and Bishop Budde highlights the growing tension between political policies and religious calls for compassion. While Trump has dismissed the sermon as "nasty," Budde’s message continues to resonate with those advocating for inclusivity and mercy for marginalized communities.