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By Aila Slisco
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The Bishop of Washington confronted President Donald Trump over policies targeting immigrants and transgender children, during a service in Washington National Cathedral.
Trump was attending the interfaith Service of Prayer for the Nation on Tuesday, the day after the presidential inauguration, when Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered her pointed sermon.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the White House via email on Tuesday.
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Why It Matters
Trump, who was sworn in for his second term on Monday, has quickly pushed forward with several items on his agenda, considered by many to be controversial, by issuing executive orders.
Issued on Trump's first day back in office, the orders include an attempt to block the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution's right to citizenship by birth and an effort to deny the existence of gender identity, which could make it impossible for transgender people to obtain accurate versions of federal documents such as passports.
What To Know
Bishop Budde pleaded with Trump to have "mercy" on immigrants and the families of transgender children who may be "scared" of him.
Video of the event shows Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of both of their families watching as Budde reminds the president that most immigrants "are not criminals" and that "gay, lesbian and transgender children" may "fear for their lives" due to his policies.
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"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President," Budde said, while looking at Trump. "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. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives."
"And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings," she continued. "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, they are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara and temples."
Budde went on to ask Trump to "have mercy on those in our community whose children fear that their parents may be taken away" and on migrants who are "fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands," urging him to "honor the dignity of every human being."
Members of Trump's family, including first lady Melania Trump, appeared to be visibly upset during the sermon, while reactions appearing online ranged from praise for Budde to outrage that she dared to confront the president.
The special cathedral service was a gathering "with our interfaith and ecumenical partners to offer prayers of thanksgiving for our democracy and to seek God's guidance in the years ahead," according to the cathedral website.
Budde became the ninth Bishop of Washington on November 12, 2011, the city's first female diocesan bishop.
What People Are Saying
Trump, responding to a reporter asking for his opinion of the sermon just after leaving the cathedral: "What did you think? Did you such as it, did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service, no. Thank you very much. They could do much better."
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, in a post to X, formerly Twitter: "As a Catholic & legal immigrant, it's outrageous that some woke Bishop would lecture President Tump about deporting illegals. It's an insult to all of us who came to this country the right way. If you don't have borders, then you don't have a country."
Donald Trump Jr, responding to Moreno: "This is exactly right and the immigrants who actually worked their asses off for years to come here LEGALLY, learn English and assimilate into our culture understand it better than anyone else!"
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, on X: "Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She's the first woman to hold the position. She was given a great honor today, a chance to unify America around a Christian message at the dawn of a new administration. Instead, she disgraced herself with a lecture you'd hear on CNN or an episode of The View. What an embarrassment."
Art Candee, a Chicago-based artist and frequent Trump critic, while sharing to X an image of Trump, Vance and family members watching the sermon: "The looks you make when you're called out by a Bishop in church at the National Prayer Service for essentially being fake Christians. Bravo, Bishop Budde!"
Author Dean Allen, on X: "A very brave and honorable lady. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop of Washington, delivers a message to President Donald #Trump and his entourage. The look of disdain on their faces tells you everything you need to know about their character. God Help America. God Help the World."
Progressive media outlet MeidasTouch, on X: "Wow. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde fearlessly calls out Trump and Vance to their faces. This is heroic."
Democratic strategist Victor Shi, on X: "Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde just called out Donald Trump's potential cruelty out straight to his face. Everyone must watch this. So powerful & good. Thank you, Bishop Budde."
What Happens Next
Trump is expected to continue enacting policies that target migrants and transgender people, including moving forward with mass deportations that he originally promised would begin on the first day of his second term. As the bishop of Washington, Budde will likely continue to deliver sermons at the Washington National Cathedral for the foreseeable future.
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