Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, also had a message for President Trump during his first term.

During an inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Right Rev. Mariann Budde, took a direct shot at President Donald Trump, urging him to "have mercy upon" communities affected by his administration’s immigration and LGBTQ+ policies.

Speaking from the pulpit, with Trump seated in the front row, Budde made an impassioned plea, asking the new president to show compassion for those “scared now” due to his controversial policies. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,” she said, addressing Trump directly.

Her sermon, part of an interfaith prayer service tradition, took a political turn as she denounced the president's early executive orders targeting transgender rights and immigration. "There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in both Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives,” Budde stated, urging the administration to show more compassion.

She also condemned Trump's immigration policies, stating, “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, gurdwara and temples.” Budde's message echoed a call for mercy, quoting the biblical teaching to be kind to strangers: "Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land."

After the sermon, Trump, sitting stone-faced, dismissed the service, telling reporters it was "not too exciting" and that "they could do much better."

Trump allies, including Georgia congressman Mike Collins, have already criticized Budde, with Collins suggesting that she "should be added to the deportation list" for her remarks.

Who is Budde?

This isn't the first time Budde has clashed with Trump; in 2020, she condemned his controversial Bible-holding photo op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church following the use of force against peaceful protesters.

She has also made history as the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, a position she has held since 2011. Before her tenure in Washington, she served for nearly two decades as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. An alumna of the University of Rochester, Budde grew up in both New Jersey and Colorado, and enjoys biking around Washington, D.C.

Her diocese, which includes the National Cathedral, had planned a prayer service for the day after the inauguration, regardless of the election outcome. Budde was determined to preach, no matter who won.

In 2020, Budde expressed her strong disapproval of former President Trump’s use of the Bible during a controversial photo op at St. John’s Church. Writing in The New York Times, she described being "outraged" and "horrified" by Trump's actions, accusing him of "using sacred symbols" to promote positions that were "antithetical to the Bible."

The tension continues between the Trump administration and those, like Budde, who are outspoken in their opposition to its policies.