Bishop Budde takes unapologetic stand against Donald Trump’s policies after calling for mercy on LGBTQ+ and immigrants

In a moment that highlighted deep national divisions, Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington, made headlines during President Donald Trump’s inauguration by using her sermon to deliver an impassioned plea for compassion toward marginalized communities. Her words, aimed directly at Trump, sparked backlash but have since garnered attention for their boldness.

During the 15-minute sermon on January 20, Rev. Budde called on the president to "have mercy" on LGBTQ+ individuals and undocumented immigrants. “Mr. President,” she began, “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.”

She specifically mentioned LGBTQ+ children and immigrant workers, painting a picture of those who contribute to society but live in fear. “They may not have the proper documentation,” she said, “but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”


President Trump, however, was less than impressed. He described the sermon as “not too exciting” and “a disappointment,” adding on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Budde and the church owed an apology to the public.

Rev. Budde stood by her message, appearing on NPR to clarify her stance. “I don’t hate the president, and I pray for him,” she explained. “But I don’t feel there’s a need to apologize for a request for mercy.”

Reflecting on the controversy, Budde expressed regret over the outrage her words provoked but not the content of her plea. “It confirmed exactly what I was speaking about—our tendency to jump to outrage instead of engaging with respect,” she said.

The sermon’s timing was especially significant, as it came just hours after Trump signed several executive orders, including one defining gender strictly as male or female and others tightening immigration policies.