It’s safe to say that President Trump did not like the first church service of his second administration.
On Tuesday, President Trump and Vice President Vance attended the official inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, a tradition dating back to 1933. Although services typically address the upcoming administration’s goals, it was decided before the election that this year’s service would instead focus on national unity, appealing to the president to help heal a divided nation.
During the service, Episcopal bishop Right Rev. Mariann Budde concluded her service with a bold move: she made a direct religious appeal to the president, imploring Trump to show mercy for vulnerable communities, including migrants and LGBTQ+ people.
Video of the sermon is going viral and has been viewed millions of times in just a few days.
So what exactly did she say, and why is President Trump now demanding she apologize?
A Controversial Sermon
Directly citing undocumented immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, Rev. Budde calmly asked the president to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” pleading with Trump to show them dignity and respect in the coming four years.
“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives,” the bishop explained from the pulpit, directly asking the president to show.
Pivoting to immigration, the bishop stated, "the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors… may I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away."
She concluded with a nod to the Bible's teachings, saying: “Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers.”
Anger Builds In Response
President Trump’s review of the sermon? Not good.
“I didn’t think it was a good service, no,” Trump told reporters after the service was over. “They could do much better.”
However, the president's rhetoric later intensified as the story gained steam. “She and her church owe the public an apology!” Trump wrote in a late-night post on Truth Social. “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.”
Clearly, the sermon touched a nerve. Some critics lashed out at the bishop, including First Baptist Church Robert Jeffress who wrote on X that the Rev. Budde “insulted rather than encouraged our great president” and that “there was palpable disgust in the audience with her words.”
But some responses were much darker. Representative Mike Collins of Georgia went so far as to call for her to be deported.
Rev. Budde even faced reported death threats online from critics furious that she spoke to the president that way. She went on the Rachel Maddow show to discuss the backlash:
What Does It Mean to Be Christian?
While this incident has obviously flared some tempers, it's also prompting a wider debate about Christian teachings and how they affect policy decisions.
One commenter argued that the responses to the sermon's Christian messages were telling:
Another reacted to a demand for Rev. Budde to be expelled from the Nation Cathedral by calling out "fake Christianity."
So, how does the bishop feel about the message she sent?
In an interview the following day on The View, Rev. Budde said she felt it was her duty to speak on the issues of mercy and dignity as they are taught in the Bible, and she hopes Trump will take the message to heart.
“I wanted to emphasize respecting the honor and dignity of every human being,” she stated. “I was trying to counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing and in which real people are being harmed.”
What is your reaction to the sermon – and the impassioned responses to it?
52 comments
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Echo
Demands to recieve anything are null and void. If someone is discussing compassion and love, meeting it with hate and bigotry is not okay. No apology for you tRump.
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Drew Stangle
Love how it's only Christianity when it involves hating people that aren't straight, white Christians. Christianity has officially lost the damn plot and has become a parody of itself. What the Bishop said is truly a wonderful stance and the response of the lying, felon that usurped democratic process is not at all surprising. That people "elected" this clown and think anything he is going to do will actually help them is both sad and hilarious.
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ServantOfJudgement
Didn't the democrats appoint Harris? I thought we're all supposed to vote for our candidate.
Odd how every mother's brother tried to get the Hamas terrorists to release those they kidnapped for a long time with no success. Then the orange man says end it or he will and they ended it.
Is it hilarious that the hostages were release?
Christians who are black voted for our president unlike ever before. Are they racist, white and straight?
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Lawrence A. Benson
WTF are you talking about???
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Tecla Caryl Loup
You're not sticking to the topic at hand.
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Timothy C Stone
In his final address from the Oval Office yesterday, President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal between Israel and Hamas — a truce that Defense Department officials believe signals a possible end to 15 months of conflict in the region.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
I’m a non-believer (raised Presbyterian) and I was deeply moved by her words. She was calm, professional, and had a message of love, peace, and hope.
tRump and his band of idiots are absolutely afraid of everything Jesus teaches. Their fear rears its ugly head like Medusa.
I hope his term ends before he does more damage to our country.
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Excellent prayer from the Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. Be Bold in Christ. All are welcome. So much more could be done to expedite citizenship. America must not forget this country was built strongly on immigrants. Blest Be.
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Reverend Paula Copp
I love the way straight people try to tell us that our very existence is a mortal sin when we are simply the way god made us. I believe there’s a sentence in the bible, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”… it’s not your place, Mr. Atwood, to decide what is and is not a mortal sin. What did JESUS say about the LGBTQ+ community? Not one word!
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Daniel Todd Kamm
There was nothing in her sermon that was offensive. If the man's hide is that thin, he's in the wrong business.
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Richard David Atwood
I think there is something in the Bible that clearly says being "gay" is a mortal sin. So it would only stand to reason that a Bishop, a Priest or any other religious person who advocates for it, is also committing a mortal sin. Which, of course would be a very outstanding and compelling reason to have that person removed from any rank of any religion, or religious organization. The same reasoning would have any Bishop or Priest removed for their acceptance of any type of medical "gender change" operation's, simply because any person who wants to change gender is, by definition "gay".
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
How very un-Christlike of you.
Why do you hate my transgender child? Why would their murder bring you joy? Why are you such a vile human being?
Oh, because you lack education, compassion, integrity, ethics, and give a crap about only those exactly like yourself.
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Richard David Atwood
You obviously didn't read my post. Show me where I said the word "HATE'? Show me where I said they should be "murdered"? You can't because I didn't.Your post is a clear and certain display of the left always reading something into a statement that clearly is NOT in the statement. So you get all uppity in your self indulgence, and blame others for something they neither said or did, while at the same time, doing it yourself.
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Timothy C Stone
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. 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. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. ..." Atwood, maybe you should not read into the Plea by the Bishop? I did not hear her 'advocate' for homosexuality, but for mercy. Plus, let's not get into the whole 'the Bible says' thing. It also says an adulterous wife should be stoned to death or some such nonsense. And really, you are speaking for all religions?
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Tecla Caryl Loup
You should have found an exact citation from the Bible about gayness. It would clarify your argument.
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Asa William Sprague, II
When Jesus treated lepers with compassion and mercy he wasn't advocating leprosy.
When a minister asks someone to treat others with compassion and mercy, they're not asking that person to advocate the behavior of others, but just to be kind, considerate and respectful.
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Richard David Atwood
So your saying the people who got leprosy did that by choice? Somehow I don't think they did. Those who "CHOOSE" to defy the the Bible, and ignore the word DID that by choice. So they are responsible for their choice, are they not?
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Choice is not necessary for gayness.
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Cynthia Mandello
She advocated for MERCY; is that not exactly what Christ taught? Do you believe Jesus would have condemned a gay child? The only group he actively condemned were "the money changers" taking advantage of the people's faith for their own gain.
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Richard David Atwood
Children are not born gay. They are made gay by either their feelings, their friends, or their degenerate parents. There is no such thing as a frog being born a butterfly and changing into a frog. You are born what you are. Either male of female. There is no other. As you correctly state, "The only group he actively condemned were "the money changers" taking advantage of the people's faith for their own gain." Taking advantage of others faith and belief is exactly what those who advocate for people to be gay are doing.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Bad argument. Frogs & butterflies aren't the same species, or even the same genus. Perhaps you haven't heard or read about gender preferences within a species, but there are studies that document it.
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Lawrence A. Benson
Richard David Atwood, Since when did "God" appoint you to be his chosen deligate to determin what is and what is not a mortal sin? "I think there is something in the bible that clearly says that being gay is a mortal sin." is not proof nor documentation of what "God" said about being gay.
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Michael Howard Schrader
So it is okay to be cruel to the sinner? That means all of us.
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Richard David Atwood
Show me where in my post I said to be cruel to anyone. However, pushing a belief on others for your benefit is what I would call cruel. And parents who start calling a 1 or 3 or 5 month old child "gay" just because the parent wants to "fit in," forcing a lifestyle onto a child too young to realize they are being misled and lied to, I would absolutely call that cruel.
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Michael Burton
President DJT mean Dumpster Junk Trash; get used to it, lots of flotsam and jetsam to come.
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Billy Heckstall
STRANGE TIMES I am simply amazed how some people are disturbed by someone asking another human being to show mercy to the weak and defenseless. Jesus even set among the so-called condemned of his time and said, that’s where a physician was needed. Yet these people who claimed to be of God , back a man who has committed rape, treason, the death of over a million Americans, lied about his taxes, is an immigrant of birth right citizenship himself, who now denies others. Told over 30,000 lies in four years. Has the whole world and this country turn upside down in less than a 100 days. And still braking for more confusion, even war! Yet still, some insane folks supports him, there is more darkness in America than this bishop and that’s for sure.. If this man is what they believe God brought forth as an example of his vision for them and their children? Then it’s not just Trump that needs to hear this bishop’s plead for mercy and most of all sanity. Pray for these people, Please!!! I will always stand with people of the caliber of this bishop! I took an oath to defend the constitution, not a dictator nor a tyrant! God have mercy on you if you can’t see the difference between the bishop’s pleading and this man’s wishes… I’m not a democrat, but I am a child of God!
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Michael Arthur Lueras
In her sermon of Tuesday 1/21/2025 Bishop Budde attempted to guide The Donald to the adoption of a merciful attitude towards others. The Donald's subsequent response to Bishop Budde's sermon shows that she failed to penetrate the evil mind and heart of the 45th President of The Great Satan U.S.A. How so? "You cannot guide those who Allah has led astray." (Quran 4:88) If Bishop Budde had devoted her life to the study of The Quran instead of the Bible she would not have wasted her time trying to reason with Satan Incarnate on 1/21/2025. But Jesus also did say that, "There are none so blind as those who refuse to see." (Matthew 9:26-27) or words to that effect. Amen?
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Alan David Fortnoff
I have a background in the Jewish faith. My scripture teaches me that welcoming the stranger is a mitzvah. I am third generation from immigrants that arrived in various ways from four eastern European countries and settled here for a number of reasons. I welcome the stranger from other countries and assist them in being a good citizen. Sometimes it takes a turn that some call illegal but I see my and hear about my ancestors doing the same. Will continue my work and help for others both individually and through advocacy.
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
I watched all of it. I thought it was BEAUTIFUL. But you could tell and see the disrespect on their faces. And Vance's wife, who is Hindu, was sitting ram rod straight, never taking her eyes off the minister! She even ignored him when he tried to lean over and tried to make some sort of remark about the immigrants. Honestly, I don't see how either of them can walk into any house of worship without bursting into flames!! Creator....save us all!!!
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Gary Young
Religions are nothing more than control mechanisms, big businesses, where those of little merit wield unjustified influence over the fate of humanity. These businesses, exploiting people's spiritual aspirations, should be taxed like any corporation. Why are political leaders compelled to give a platform to these invalidated ideologues.
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James Mounts
Is it really compassionate to encourage the mentally ill in their fantasy? Should I address anyone who thinks he is Napolean as mon general? More compassionate would be to encourage them to get help, ASAP.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Mr. Mounts, you’re not suggesting that the LGBTQ+ community is mentally ill, are you. That would be inconsistent with reality, and a really ignorant statement. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you’re not ignorant…
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Michael Howard Schrader
That is exactly what he is suggesting. Shameful.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
And not exactly Christlike.
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Jimmy Moon
In a stunning display of a reprobate mind, this woman who can not be a preacher, (Read your Bible for the qualifications) is what is wrong with the Church today. Lukewarm spew.
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Michael Howard Schrader
Bigot much?
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Jimmy Moon
Only against heresies like her.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
How do you know that women as apostles were left out of the New Testament when what we now call THE Bible was put together many years after Christ's earthly appearance? The story of my patron saint, the first female apostle/virgin-martyr, was demoted to apocryphal status by males. The Church has had a very hard time giving females equal status due to their faulty patriarchal beliefs.
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Merlin
Revelations 13.
The three beast of Revelations
The Dragon(Lucifer/Musk). Gives power(money)to the Beast of the Sea(Politician/Trump) the Antichrist. Beast of the Earth(Prophet/Graham) convinces people of the Antichrist divinity. There will be a mark.
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ServantOfJudgement
It's Revelation. You can always spot a cherry picker when they don't know what tree they're picking from.
Hint: Believe the Bible is the word of God and start in Genesis. Pray for understanding and you'll not need your cherry basket any longer.
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Merlin
2 Corinthians 11:14-15
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
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Rev David Drudge
She likes the View propaganda ^ & TDS! She speaks with a Woke mentality at Heart, she makes a Political argument of clear Anti Trump!
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Cynthia Mandello
When you have a moment, would you tell me exactly what it is about being "woke" that bothers you so much? I mean this will all respect as I do not understand the opposition and how it fits in with our Christianity.
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Merlin
Most of the American Christian Churches have abandoned the teaching of Jesus and replaced with demonic fear, hate and anger. She’s fighting uphill in the MAGA environment.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
What's this "woke" stuff all about? Besides being bad English. Perhaps someone who has attended high school might use the term "awakened"--much better English..
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Dr. Melly M.
Wasn’t this the same Bishop that said we should not mix politics and religion?. There’s a place and time for everything. It wasn’t the time or place. Not her place. Her place is to lift others. Lifting the leaders of the Country. The judging is left for the most high. Do we only lift leaders when we agree with them and are in favor?. God calls for Unity and restoration. She definitely had an agenda.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
Ah, so being merciful is a political agenda item? Thought it was uplifting. Tell more about how that works.
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ServantOfJudgement
If only those murdered and raped by the illegals could hear this Bishops wisdom. Maybe they'd have beef gentler to their victims and bought them some nice flowers.
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Tecla Caryl Loup
How many have been murdered and raped by undocumented immigrants? Or raped and then murdered? Or maybe just raped or just murdered? And how many have had the same fate at the hands of American citizens? Show percentages, please.
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arawngraalrd
What Mercy can be offered, if there is no offense? LGBTQ+ is largely adolescent behavior, and those who come without Visa should be repatriated, that they may apply. Why is she assuming that Trump is offended?
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Dylan Tuatha Le Danaan
If you claim to be a Christian and yet refute and demean the words of your Christian faith. Then you are not a Christian and should not claim such. Anyone following this false idol cannot be claimed to be Christian either. It is a sad day for this country.
Ridiculous. Trump belies any claim that he has Christian beliefs. She merely articulated Christ's teachings.