Trump responds to bishops confronting inaugural prayer sermon

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States was a global spectacle, but one moment from the event has sparked widespread conversation: the sermon delivered by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde during the inaugural prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral. Known for her outspoken views, Bishop Budde used the platform to deliver a sermon that was both poignant and provocative, addressing issues that many didn’t expect to hear in such a setting.

In her 15-minute address, Bishop Budde didn’t hold back. Directing her words toward President Trump, she made a series of heartfelt appeals. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” she said. “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.” At this point, her gaze appeared to focus intently on Trump, underscoring the weight of her words.

Bishop Budde’s sermon resonated with many marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community. She spoke directly about the fears faced by gay, lesbian, and transgender children across the nation, noting their anxiety about what Trump’s presidency could mean for their safety and rights.

Her remarks also addressed Trump’s controversial actions, which included a series of executive orders issued on his first day in office. Among them were policies recognizing biological distinctions between men and women, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and rescinding birthright citizenship. Budde criticized these actions by highlighting the contributions of immigrants: “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking 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.”

Bishop Budde is no stranger to critiquing Trump. She first gained national attention in 2020 when she condemned his controversial photo outside St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he posed with a Bible after law enforcement cleared racial justice protesters using chemical agents. At the time, she accused Trump of inciting division, saying, “We need moral leadership, and he’s done everything to divide us.”

While President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance maintained neutral expressions during the sermon, others in attendance were less composed. Republican Representative Mike Collins of Georgia voiced his outrage on social media, writing, “The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list.”

In her closing remarks, Bishop Budde continued her impassioned plea: “I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”

When asked for his thoughts on the sermon, Trump’s response was blunt and dismissive. “I didn’t think it was a good service,” he told reporters, brushing off further questions.

The sermon has sparked heated debate across the nation, with some applauding Bishop Budde’s courage to speak truth to power and others condemning her remarks as inappropriate for an inaugural event. What do you think about her bold message? Was it a necessary call for compassion, or did it cross the line? Share your thoughts!

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