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• Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington sparked controversy with a homily at the National Prayer Service, urging President Donald Trump to show mercy to scared and vulnerable groups.
• Trump and his supporters criticized Budde, labeling her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and accusing her of politicizing the church.
• Budde’s message was widely praised by other faith leaders and advocates for its compassion and call for justice.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

During the National Prayer Service at Washington’s National Cathedral on January 23, 2025, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a homily that directly addressed President Donald Trump. She urged him to have mercy on various groups, including gay, lesbian, and transgender children, as well as immigrants who are integral to the country’s workforce.

Core Players

• Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – Episcopal Bishop of Washington
• Donald Trump – President of the United States
• J.D. Vance – Vice President of the United States
• Washington National Cathedral – Historic interfaith venue

Key Numbers

• 2020: Year authorities cleared Black Lives Matter demonstrations for Trump to hold a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church.
• January 23, 2025: Date of the National Prayer Service where Budde delivered her homily.
• 15 minutes: Length of Budde’s homily.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Bishop Budde’s homily was a direct plea to President Trump, asking him to show mercy to various vulnerable groups. This plea came just a day after Trump issued several executive orders, including one related to immigration and another defining women as biologically distinct from men.

“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” Budde said. “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.”

Inside Forces

Budde has a history of speaking out against Trump’s policies, particularly on issues of racial rhetoric and immigration. Two years into Trump’s first term, she joined other leaders of Washington’s National Cathedral in criticizing his escalation of racialized rhetoric.

In June 2020, she criticized Trump’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd, stating that Trump’s actions did not align with the principles of non-violence and sacrificial love.

Power Dynamics

Trump’s reaction to Budde’s homily was immediate and critical. He called her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and accused her of bringing politics into the church in an ungracious way.

This is not the first time Trump has clashed with religious leaders. He previously criticized Pope Francis for his comments on building walls and bridges.

Outside Impact

The broader community has been divided in their response to Budde’s homily. While Trump and his supporters criticized her, many others praised her message for its compassion and call for justice.

Some conservative figures, like Rev. Franklin Graham, condemned Budde and suggested she should have approached Trump privately. In contrast, many liberal voices lauded her courage and the importance of her message.

Future Forces

The ongoing debate highlights the deep-seated divisions within the country on issues such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice.

As Budde continues to emphasize the importance of mercy and compassion, her stance is likely to influence future discussions on these critical issues.

• Continued advocacy for immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ issues
• Potential impact on future policy discussions and legislative actions
• Increased dialogue between faith leaders and political figures

Data Points

• January 23, 2025: Date of the National Prayer Service
• 2020: Year of Black Lives Matter protests and Trump’s controversial visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church
• 15 minutes: Length of Budde’s homily at the National Prayer Service