Who is Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop who drew Trump's ire at prayer service
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration Tuesday, which went viral and prompted the president to call her “nasty in tone” and “not compelling or smart.”
“I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian, transgender children, Democratic, Republican, independent families — some who fear for their lives,” Budde said.
She went on to ask for Trump’s mercy toward immigrants and their families, saying the vast majority of them are “not criminals” but rather “good neighbors.”
Trump and Vice President JD Vance mostly stared ahead as Budde spoke, but after the ceremony, Trump told reporters he didn’t think it was a “good service” and Wednesday morning he went after the bishop in a Truth Social post.
“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart,” Trump wrote about Budde.
Budde currently serves as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the first woman to hold this position. She has led the diocese since 2011.
Before her election to the diocese, she was the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, where she spent 18 years.
Buddle, 65, holds a masters in Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.
According to Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s website, Budde is “an advocate and organizer in support of justice concerns, including racial equity, gun violence prevention, immigration reform, the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and the care of creation.”
This is not the first time the bishop has been critical of Trump.
In 2020, she wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times criticizing the use of tear gas against protesters for racial justice in Lafayette Square. She said she was “outraged” and “horrified” that Trump used the Bible, which he held outside St. John’s Church following the violence at the protest against Goerge Floyd’s killing.
She accused Trump of using “sacred symbols” while “espousing positions antithetical to the Bible.”
Trump has denied that tear gas was used against the protestors.
“Scripture is clear: Justice, which is the societal expression of love, matters most to God. Justice is also what is most important to those who are exercising their right to peaceful protest,” Budde wrote in the 2020 op-ed.
Explaining why she was speaking out, Budde wrote, “There are times when taking a side, and a stand, is precisely what’s needed from people of faith.”
Budde told CNN's Erin Burnett Tuesday that she wanted her plea to remind Trump and her audience that "frightened" transgender people and immigrants are "our fellow human beings"
"I wanted to counter, as gently as I could, with a reminder of their humanity and their place in our wider community," she said. "I was speaking to the president because I felt that he has this moment now where he feels charged and empowered to do what he feels called to do. And I wanted to say there is room for mercy."
Topics
-
Bishop who asked Trump to 'have mercy' would welcome one-on-one talk
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who asked that President Trump “have mercy” on LGBTQ children and immigrants during a prayer service he attended Tuesday morning, said on ABC’s “The View” Wednesday she ...The Hill - 1h -
Who is Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop who angered Trump with inaugural sermon?
Budde, 65, asked president to ‘have mercy’ on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people in prayer service on Tuesday. US politics live – latest updates The Right Rev Mariann Edgar Budde made headlines this ...The Guardian - 2h -
Trump’s Plan to Leave the WHO Is a Health Disaster
The exit will cut a huge chunk from the World Health Organization’s budget, but the short-term financial gain for the US could come at the cost of disease outbreaks flaring up across the world.Wired - 20h -
WATCH: Bishop Mariann Budde's sermon that set off Trump
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde drew President Trump's ire Wednesday morning after she used a National Catheral prayer service to issue a call for mercy against members of the LGBTQ and immigrant ...The Hill - 2h -
Trump demands apology, criticizes bishop's prayer service remarks
President Trump early Wednesday morning slammed the reverend at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration who called on him to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant ...The Hill - 9h -
Who Is Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop Who Made a Plea to Trump?
The first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Bishop Budde had a message for President Trump during his first term, too.The New York Times - 19h -
GOP member wants bishop 'added to deportation list' after Trump prayer service
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) heavily criticized statements made by the Right Rev. Mariann Budde on Tuesday at the inaugural prayer service held for President Trump. “The person giving this sermon ...The Hill - 22h -
Bishop at inaugural prayer service urges Trump to 'have mercy' on LGBTQ children, immigrants
The bishop leading Tuesday's official inaugural prayer service urged President Donald Trump to "have mercy" on his constituents, specifically naming LGBTQ people and immigrants.NBC News - 1d -
Trump: Inauguration prayer service was ‘not too exciting’
President Trump said Tuesday the prayer service for his inauguration, when the reverend called on him to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families, wasn’t too exciting. Reporters ...The Hill - 1d -
Inauguration prayer service's pastor asks Trump to 'have mercy' on transgender kids, immigrants
The reverend at the National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration called on President Trump to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families in her sermon on Tuesday. Bishop ...The Hill - 1d -
Meloni, Murdoch, McGregor … Who flew in for Trump’s inauguration – and who got in the room?
A notable international contingent turned up for Trump’s swearing-in as well as galas and parties surrounding the event. Aside from the US tech billionaires and the Maga crowd, Trump’s inauguration ...The Guardian - 1d -
This free tax filing option is 'fast and simple,' IRS says. Here's who can use it
Roughly 70% of taxpayers are eligible for IRS Free File. Here's how to know if you qualify.CNBC - 1d -
Trump signs order to withdraw U.S. from WHO
President Trump issued an executive order Monday night withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization. The U.S. has historically been the largest funder of the Geneva-based ...The Hill - 1d -
Here's who shared a table at the Trump Inauguration lunch
President Trump's Inauguration lunch brought together lawmakers, Cabinet nominees, Supreme Court justices and distinguished guests Monday afternoon, in a quadrennial tradition that takes place ...The Hill - 1d -
Here's who skipped Trump's inauguration
President Trump was sworn into office for a second time on Monday before an audience in the Capitol that included his predecessor, former President Biden, as well as former Presidents Obama, ...The Hill - 2d -
Trump’s inauguration day: a who’s who from Biden to Musk – in pictures
A look at the events and festivities in Washington as Donald Trump and JD Vance are sworn into office. Donald Trump inauguration – live updates Continue reading...The Guardian - 2d -
Trump promises to reinstate service members who objected to Covid-19 vaccine
During his second inaugural address, President Donald Trump said he would reinstate military service members who objected to Covid-19 vaccine and spoke about plans to change military training goals ...NBC News - 2d -
Cardinal Nolan, Rev. Graham pray at Trump's inauguration
Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. Franklin Graham prayed for President-elect Donald Trump before he was sworn in as the 47th president during his inauguration in Washington, D.C.CBS News - 2d -
Who is performing at the Trump 2025 inauguration? Here's the list
President-elect Donald Trump will have one of the biggest names in country music performing at his swearing-in ceremony.CBS News - 2d -
Who is and isn't attending Trump's 2025 inauguration?
President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on Monday as his inauguration ceremony is set to take rare form inside the U.S. Capitol.CBS News - 3d -
A Who’s Who at Peter Thiel’s Trump Party: Zuckerberg, Adelson and More
The party symbolized the euphoria of the tech industry on the cusp of the Trump presidency. The guest list included Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Miriam Adelson and the vice president-elect, JD Vance.The New York Times - 3d -
Who is speaking at Trump's 2025 inauguration?
These are the people expected to speak at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.CBS News - 3d -
Here's who is swearing in Trump and Vance at the 2025 inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will recite their oaths of office Monday.CBS News - 3d -
A List of Those Who Could Be in Line for Trump’s ‘Retribution’
President-elect Donald J. Trump believes he has been wronged by current and former officials, members of the media and more.The New York Times - 4d -
Uncharted territory for the WHO if Trump withdraws US membership
WHO is ‘critical in protecting US business interests’, says CEO of firm that may see lean years if Trump carries out vow. The World Health Organization (WHO) could see lean years ahead if the US ...The Guardian - 4d -
Agent who helped shield Trump in rally attack named Secret Service chief
Sean Curran, who has headed Trump’s details for the last two and a half years, will be the agency’s new director. An agent who helped cover Donald Trump when a gunman opened fire at him during a ...The Guardian - 5d -
Trump v Bannon, Musk v Farage: who hates who in Magaland
The feuds and rivalries within the US president-elect’s Maga ecosystem – including some British sympathisers. The task of deconstructing the internal manoeuvrings of the leadership of the Soviet ...The Guardian - 5d -
30 million people could qualify to use IRS free Direct File program. Here's who is eligible
The IRS free Direct File program opens on Jan. 27 for taxpayers in 25 states. Here's who qualifies for the 2025 tax season.CNBC - Jan. 13 -
Jack Smith, Who Led Prosecutions of Trump, Resigns
Mr. Smith, a special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, had signaled that he would step down before Donald J. Trump’s inauguration.The New York Times - Jan. 12 -
Trump Chose 8 Economic Experts Who Will Defend Tariffs and Lower Taxes
President-elect Donald J. Trump has moved beyond the team-of-rivals approach from his first term and chosen economic aides who will defend tariffs and tax cuts.The New York Times - Jan. 10 -
The CEOs Who Are Tearing Up the Policies Trump Hates
Companies seeking to benefit from campaign promises to cut regulations and taxes are ditching diversity and climate initiatives; ‘EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!’The Wall Street Journal - Jan. 9 -
How a Phone Call Drew Alito Into a Trump Loyalty Squabble
The phone call centered on a former law clerk of Justice Alito’s. In the eyes of the Trump team, the clerk still needed to prove his loyalty to the president-elect.The New York Times - Jan. 10 -
AT&T to credit qualifying customers after service outages: Who is eligible?
The telecommunications giant touted its new "AT&T Guarantee" in a press release issued Wednesday.The Hill - Jan. 9 -
Taxpayer Advocate urges Congress to preserve IRS funding for service, technology
The National Taxpayer Advocate has urged Congress to preserve IRS funding for taxpayer service and technology amid Republican scrutiny.CNBC - Jan. 8 -
Who qualifies for the IRS Fresh Start program?
The IRS' Fresh Start program could help you catch up on delinquent tax debt — but you'll have to qualify first.CBS News - Jan. 7
More from The Hill
-
Whitmer signs legislation allowing Michigan pharmacists to prescribe birth control
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed two bills into law earlier this week that will allow pharmacists in the state to prescribe hormonal birth control. House Bill 5436 gives Michigan ...The Hill - 37m -
Live updates: Trump pushes ahead on border plans, anti-DEI efforts; Dems grill OMB nominee
Rubber is meeting the road in President Trump's first week back at the White House, as the administration warned federal workers in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that they ...The Hill - 38m -
Democratic infighting is rising as Trump takes center stage
Democrats are finding themselves mired in infighting and schoolyard sniping just as President Trump begins his new term. Former first lady Jill Biden and Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) daughter ...The Hill - 42m -
Judge who oversaw Jan. 6 cases pushes back on Trump pardons: 'revisionist myth'
A federal judge who oversaw Jan. 6 cases pushed back against President Trump's sweeping pardons Wednesday, refusing to close two rioters' cases in a manner that would prevent charges from being ...The Hill - 46m -
White House budget office narrows scope of executive order restricting IRA funds
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued new guidance Wednesday clarifying limits to the disbursement of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds ordered by President Trump on ...The Hill - 52m
More in Politics
-
Live updates on wave of Trump executive orders and actions
Many of the steps taken by President Trump as he starts his second term are proving highly controversial.CBS News - 7m -
House Republicans announce new subcommittee to investigate Jan. 6 events
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Wednesday the creation of a select subcommittee to investigate events before and after Jan.NBC News - 17m -
Taking away birthright citizenship is an ‘attack’ on families, Connecticut AG says
President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship is facing legal challenges. 18 states and two cities filed a lawsuit to stop the order. Connecticut Attorney General William ...NBC News - 35m -
Whitmer signs legislation allowing Michigan pharmacists to prescribe birth control
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed two bills into law earlier this week that will allow pharmacists in the state to prescribe hormonal birth control. House Bill 5436 gives Michigan ...The Hill - 37m -
Live updates: Trump pushes ahead on border plans, anti-DEI efforts; Dems grill OMB nominee
Rubber is meeting the road in President Trump's first week back at the White House, as the administration warned federal workers in roles related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that they ...The Hill - 38m