The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, sparked heated debate during her sermon at the Service of Prayer for the Nation held at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday. Addressing President Donald Trump directly, Budde urged him to show “mercy” toward illegal immigrants and members of the LGBT community, prompting both praise and criticism nationwide.
Budde, known for her progressive activism, used the high-profile event to voice concerns about the president’s policies. Seated in the front row with First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance, the president listened as Budde called for compassion.
Picture: Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
“In the Name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde stated, referencing LGBT individuals and undocumented immigrants. She described those affected as “real people” who work essential jobs in agriculture, healthcare, and service industries. Budde further implored Trump to consider the plight of children whose parents might face deportation and refugees fleeing war zones.
The sermon drew a sharp rebuke from Trump, who later took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to denounce the remarks. He accused Budde of politicizing the service and labeled her a “Radical Left hardline Trump hater.” The president criticized her for omitting concerns about the negative impact of illegal immigration, including crime rates associated with undocumented individuals, a topic he described as a pressing national issue.
Budde, speaking on ABC’s The View the following day, defended her comments, claiming her intention was to promote unity and emphasize respect for human dignity. “I was trying to counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing,” she said. However, her remarks did little to pacify critics who saw her sermon as overtly political and inappropriate for the occasion.
Critics argue that Budde’s approach was divisive rather than unifying, pointing to her history of public statements against Trump. In 2020, Budde criticized the president for holding a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in a controversial photo-op following protests near the White House. At the time, she described his actions as an “abuse” of sacred symbols and space.
Picture: President Donal Trump and first lady Melania Trump behind Bishop Mariann Budde
Some observers have questioned Budde’s objectivity, citing her participation in political events like the Democratic National Convention and her vocal support for progressive causes, including racial equity and LGBT rights. Her detractors argue that her repeated public criticism of Trump undermines her credibility as a spiritual leader seeking unity.
The National Cathedral’s Service of Prayer for the Nation, a longstanding tradition since 1933, aims to promote reflection and prayer for incoming administrations. This year’s interfaith service included contributions from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, as well as representatives of other faiths. While the event is traditionally seen as a call for healing and unity, Budde’s remarks seemed to reignite political tensions rather than alleviate them.
In light of the controversy, some commentators have called on Christians to take greater responsibility for understanding the Bible themselves. They argue that believers must diligently study Scripture to discern whether their leaders’ words are rooted in biblical truth or reflect a distorted or politicized interpretation. This approach, they contend, empowers individuals to measure sermons and teachings against the foundational truths of their faith, ensuring they are not swayed by personal agendas or misrepresentations of Scripture.
I am sitting here at my computer after having read Bishop Budd’s sermon. And, after having read various criticism’s concerning the same. I am appalled at some of the critical responses. I do recall, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy might; this is the first and great commandment and the second is like unto it – Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self – On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Then scripture goes on to ask. “Who is thy neighbor?” The answer is obvious to most who have an open mind and open heart. ALL are our neighbor!
It is wonderful to see church leaders standing up for truth in this world of chaos. Thank you.