Trump demands apology after bishop asks him to have pity on LGBTQ+ people and migrants

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump demanded an apology Wednesday from Washington’s Episcopal bishop after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in the United States. illegally.

Referring to Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination, the Very Reverend Mariann Budde said: “You felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people of our country who are afraid at this time.

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After returning to the White House, Trump said, “I didn’t think it was a good service” and “they could do a lot better.” But later, in an overnight post on his social media site, he sharply criticized the “so-called bishop” as a “radical left hard-line hater of Trump.”

“She introduced her Church into the political world in a very unsightly way. His tone was mean, and neither convincing nor intelligent,” said Trump, a Republican, adding that Budde did not mention that some migrants had come to the United States and killed people.

“Apart from his inappropriate statements, the service was very boring and uninspiring. She’s not very good at her job! » Trump said. “She and her church owe the public an apology!”

A cathedral spokesperson did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Wednesday.

The Trump administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and toughening immigration policies.

The Washington National Cathedral service focused largely on national unity. Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their families were in attendance, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.

In his sermon, Budde said they came together “to pray for unity as a people and a nation – not for agreement, political or otherwise – but for the kind of unity that fosters community over- beyond diversity and divisions.”

She added: “Unity is not partisan. »

Evangelicals were in the service but not on the program

More than a dozen religious leaders spoke at the interfaith service, including those from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

Conservative evangelicals, who are among Trump’s strongest supporters, were notably absent from the clergy invited with speaking roles.

Nevertheless, some of these evangelical supporters were in the pews.

Present were Robert Jeffress, longtime Trump supporter and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas; Paula White-Cain, televangelist and key spiritual advisor during Trump’s first term; and Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of Detroit’s 180 Church, who gave a spirited blessing at Monday’s dedication.

A new type of inaugural prayer service

The Washington National Cathedral hosted 10 official inaugural prayer services for presidents of both major political parties. The tradition dates back to 1933.

The last service had a different accent from the previous ones. The focus was on the nation rather than the new administration – a plan developed before Election Day.

“We are living in a unique moment in our nation’s history, and it is time to approach this differently,” the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of the Episcopal Cathedral, said in an October statement. “This will be a service to all Americans, to the well-being of our nation, to our democracy.”

The texts and songs revolved around themes of compassion and solidarity, including a reading from Deuteronomy 10:17-21, which speaks of caring for orphans, widows and all those in need.

Sermons at inaugural services were often delivered by ministers aligned with the new administration. In 2021, the Rev. William Barber, a progressive civil rights leader, preached before President Joe Biden, a Democrat, at the cathedral.

Budde, who delivered this year’s sermon, joined other cathedral leaders in criticizing Trump before, chastising his “racialized rhetoric” and blaming him for inciting violence on Jan. 6, 2021, when A mob of his supporters attacked the US Capitol in an attempt. to keep him in power.

Budde was “outraged” in 2020 after Trump made an appearance outside St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House. He held up a Bible after the area was cleared of peaceful protesters.

His sermon to Trump on Tuesday provoked a strong reaction on social media. Austen Ivereigh, Pope Francis’ biographer, wrote on X that the bishop “named the truth” when she spoke to Trump and Vance. “Their expressions of fury and discomfort suggest she succeeded,” Ivereigh said.

Jeffress, on the other hand, posted on X that Budde “insulted rather than encouraged our great president” and that “there was palpable disgust in the audience with his words.”

Music made for Trump

The only part of Tuesday’s service that seemed tailor-made for Trump was the participation of opera singer Christopher Macchio, who also sang the national anthem at the inauguration.

The tenor sang “Ave Maria,” a favorite Trump song and one that Macchio sang at a Trump rally and the Republican National Convention.

Before the service began, Macchio performed anthems like “How Great Thou Art” and another Trump favorite, “Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen.

As the prayer service drew to a close, Trump joined others in singing “America the Beautiful.”

Trump also thanked many clergy who attended his visit — except Budde, whom he did not recognize.
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