Bishop calls on Trump to “have pity” on migrants and LGBTQ+ people | Donald Trump

In an inaugural prayer sermon, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington directly called on Donald Trump to “have mercy” on communities across the country targeted by the new administration’s immigration and LGBTQ+ policies.

Speaking from the pulpit of the Washington National Cathedral, the Rev. Mariann Budde delivered her sermon — and an impassioned plea — as Trump sat poker-faced in the front row, alongside Melania Trump and JD Vance. Asked later about the service, Trump told reporters it was “not very exciting.”

“I didn’t think it was a good service, no,” he said as he entered the White House on Tuesday. “They could do a lot better.”

The sermon was part of a larger interfaith prayer service, a post-inauguration tradition hosted by the Washington National Cathedral and attended by presidents of both parties early in their terms. Tuesday morning’s service was filled with blessings and prayers for the success of the new administration, but took a sharper, more political turn when Budde stood to deliver the homily.

“You felt the providential hand of a loving God,” she said, an apparent reference to Trump’s inaugural speech, in which he said God saved him from an assassin’s bullet for “ make America great again.” She continued: “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people of our country who are afraid right now. »

Budde’s sermon amounted to a bold public criticism of the new president, who spent his first hours in office signing executive orders rolling back Biden-era protections for transgender Americans and laying the groundwork to fulfill his promise of deportations massive. An executive order ordered the federal government to recognize only “two sexes – male and female,” while its immigration directives sought to dismantle birthright, send troops to the southern border and suspend the U.S. immigration program. admission of refugees.

“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives,” Budde said, asking his administration to show compassion.

She also talked about immigrants – those who “pick our crops” and “work nights in hospitals” – but “may not be citizens or have the proper documentation.”

“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and synagogues, gurdwaras and temples,” she said, adding: “Our God teaches us that we should be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this country. »

When Budde finished his sermon, Trump turned and said something to Vance, who responded by shaking his head.

Budde has faced Trump before, during his first term. In 2020, she expressed outrage over Trump’s appearance outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, where he brandished a Bible after federal agents used force to remove peaceful demonstrators demonstrating against the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Trump allies have already begun attacking Budde over his comments. Georgia Rep. Mike Collins said Budde, a U.S. citizen, “should be added to the deportation list” for her comments criticizing the president. Trump has pledged as president to protect Americans’ free speech.