Monday’s so-called “bipartisan” prayer service in Washington, D.C. turned into yet another progressive soapbox. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde seized the moment to deliver a liberal plea aimed directly at President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, diverting attention from the intended spirit of national reflection.
With cameras rolling, Budde launched into an emotional speech, imploring President Trump to “have mercy” on various progressive causes, including LGBTQ+ youth and illegal immigrants. Trump and Vance, visibly unimpressed, exchanged glances and appeared to roll their eyes as Budde pressed on with her politically charged sermon.
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde pleaded.
“The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors,” Budde continued during Monday’s speech.
Bishop Defends Controversial Remarks About Trump, Revealing History of Political Activism
A bishop who faced backlash for using a D.C. prayer service to address then-President Donald Trump directly has doubled down on her remarks, claiming it was her responsibility to “counter” him. Her comments have reignited debates over the intersection of religion and politics, drawing both praise and criticism.
Speaking during a CNN interview, Bishop Mariann Budde explained her decision to address Trump directly during the service, stating, “I was looking at the President because I was speaking directly to him. I was also, as you do in every sermon, speaking to everyone who was listening through that one-on-one conversation with the President, reminding us all that the people that are frightened in our country, the two groups of people that I mentioned, are our fellow human beings.”
While Budde insisted her message was not overtly political, critics argue her remarks exemplify a growing trend of religious platforms being used to promote partisan agendas. Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has a documented history of political involvement. According to financial records, she donated $250 to Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, with a year-to-date total of $290. The records list her occupation as clergy for the diocese. Additionally, her son, Amos, is politically active and has worked with a former head of Obama’s campaign team while contributing to George Soros’ Swing Left PAC, according to RealClearPolitics senior reporter Paul Sperry.
Despite her political connections, Budde framed her remarks during the prayer service as a plea for compassion and humanity. “I wanted to counter as gently as I could with a reminder of their humanity and their place in our wider community,” she said. “And I was speaking to the president because I felt that he has this moment now where he feels charged and empowered to do what he feels called to do. I wanted to say, you know, there is room for mercy.”
When asked why she decided to make such remarks, Budde explained that her motivations were deeply personal. “These are the people that I know. These are not abstract people for me. These are actual people that I know. So I wanted to speak on their behalf.”
While Budde’s comments have drawn support from those who view her as a compassionate leader, they have also sparked criticism from individuals who see her actions as another instance of politics overtaking religious platforms. As debates surrounding her remarks and her political activism continue, Budde remains steadfast in her defense, emphasizing her commitment to advocating for the marginalized.
“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater,” Trump wrote on Truth Social early Wednesday. “She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.”
“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.
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