Trump says ‘not too exciting’ about Bishop’s sermon urging mercy to migrants, LGBTQ+
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Amid uncertainty over the survival of migrants since Donald Trump was elected President of the US, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, urged the president to extend mercy to marginalized communities affected by the new administration's immigration and LGBTQ+ policies during a ceremonial inaugural prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral.
The service, a longstanding post-inauguration tradition, saw Trump, accompanied by Melania Trump and JD Vance, sitting in the front row while Budde used the pulpit to express her concerns, according to The Guardian report.
During her sermon, Budde highlighted the fear experienced by many across the country, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants, in the wake of Trump's executive orders. She urged the president to show compassion towards vulnerable groups, emphasizing that LGBTQ+ children and immigrant workers, many of whom contribute significantly to the nation's economy, were living in fear due to the administration's actions.
In her appeal, she reminded the president of the teachings of mercy and kindness found in religious scripture, calling for empathy and understanding in the face of growing fear.
The bishop’s comments were a direct challenge to Trump’s policies, particularly those aimed at rolling back protections for transgender Americans and reshaping immigration laws. She spoke of the contributions immigrants make to society, from picking crops to working long hours in hospitals, stressing that the majority are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens who deserve compassion rather than condemnation.
Furthermore, Budde invoked the concept of mercy, urging the administration to recognize that, like many others, immigrants and marginalized groups were once strangers in this land, deserving of kindness and protection.
Despite the gravity of Budde’s remarks, Trump appeared unfazed, sitting stoically as she delivered her sermon. Following the service, he dismissed the experience as "not too exciting," commenting that the service could have been better. His lack of enthusiasm was in contrast to the serious tone of the bishop's words, which had focused on the moral responsibility of those in power to protect the vulnerable.
The exchange between Budde and Trump was not the first of its kind, as the bishop had previously criticized the president's actions, notably during his first term when he staged a controversial photo op at St. John's Episcopal Church after federal agents cleared peaceful protesters.
The ongoing tension between Budde and Trump supporters escalated after the sermon, with some of the president's allies, including Georgia congressman Mike Collins, calling for retaliation, suggesting that Budde should face consequences for her outspoken criticism.