Monday’s “bipartisan” prayer service in Washington, D.C., intended as a moment of national reflection, turned controversial when Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde used the platform to deliver a politically charged message aimed directly at President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Her remarks, which championed progressive causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and undocumented immigrants, sparked immediate criticism for politicizing a sacred event.
A Politically Charged Plea
As cameras captured the moment, Bishop Budde emotionally addressed President Trump, urging him to “have mercy” on marginalized groups. Her plea highlighted the plight of undocumented immigrants, workers in vulnerable sectors, and LGBTQ+ youth, framing her message as a moral imperative.
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” Budde began. “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.”
She continued by advocating for undocumented immigrants, stating, “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals—they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”
Trump and Vance React
President Trump and Vice President Vance appeared visibly unimpressed during the sermon, exchanging glances and, at times, rolling their eyes. Trump later addressed the incident on Truth Social, criticizing Budde for using a religious platform to advance a political agenda.
“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard-line Trump hater,” Trump wrote. “She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way.”
Trump further argued that Budde failed to address the issues caused by undocumented migrants who commit crimes, stating, “She was nasty in tone and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.”
Bishop Budde Defends Her Message
In a CNN interview on Wednesday, Budde defended her remarks, asserting that she spoke out of a sense of moral responsibility. “I was looking at the President because I was speaking directly to him,” she explained. “I was also, frankly, speaking to everyone who was listening, reminding us all that the people who are frightened in our country are our fellow human beings.”
Budde described her remarks as an effort to counter President Trump’s policies “as gently as I could with a reminder of their humanity and their place in our wider community.” She added, “These are the people that I know. These are not abstract people for me. These are actual people that I know. So I wanted to speak on their behalf.”
A History of Left-Wing Activism
Critics were quick to highlight Budde’s history of political involvement. According to financial records, Budde contributed $250 to Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, with a year-to-date total of $290. Her son, Amos, is also politically active, working with a former Obama campaign head and contributing to George Soros’ Swing Left PAC.
Conservative commentators argue that Budde’s sermon was yet another example of progressive leaders using religious platforms to advance their political agendas. “She’s not just a religious leader,” noted reporter Charlie Spiering. “She’s a political activist who happens to wear a clerical collar.”
A Divisive Moment
The incident has reignited the debate over the intersection of politics and religion in public spaces. Supporters of Budde see her remarks as a courageous act of moral leadership, while critics argue that she undermined the spirit of unity intended for the event.
Budde’s defenders claim her speech highlighted the struggles of marginalized groups often overlooked by conservative policies. However, detractors maintain that her message alienated a significant portion of the audience, including the President himself.
Trump’s Final Word
Trump concluded his remarks on the incident with a direct critique of Budde’s tone and message. “She failed to inspire unity and instead used her platform to divide,” he wrote. “This was supposed to be a prayer service, not a campaign rally.”
As the fallout continues, the controversy surrounding Bishop Budde’s sermon underscores the deep divisions in American politics and the challenges of navigating these divisions within religious and public institutions. Whether seen as a moral call to action or a misuse of a sacred platform, her speech has undoubtedly sparked a national conversation.