Bishop Budde stands by her heartfelt appeal to Trump for compassion towards vulnerable communities
Washington: So, Bishop Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, really made waves recently. She defended her emotional plea to President Trump during an inaugural prayer service. This happened just a day before the service, and it was all about showing compassion for immigrants and other vulnerable groups.
In an interview, Budde explained that we’re in a tough spot right now regarding immigrant conversations. She wanted to make sure her message was clear and heartfelt. During the service, she asked Trump to “have mercy” on those who are scared, especially mentioning LGBTQ+ kids who might be fearing for their safety.
She felt it was important to speak directly to Trump, who has a lot of power, and not just use broad terms. Budde wanted to highlight the real fears people are facing. She emphasized that most immigrants are not criminals, and her sermon was a call to recognize the humanity in everyone.
Interestingly, right before her sermon, Trump signed an executive order that limited gender recognition and reinstated a controversial immigration policy. He even criticized Budde’s sermon on social media, calling her a “so-called Bishop.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also took a jab at Budde, saying she misused her position. But Budde responded to the backlash by saying she just wants to encourage respectful conversations among Americans, even if they disagree.
It’s a pretty intense situation, and Budde is just trying to promote understanding and compassion in a divided time.
