Rev. Mariann Budde, the episcopal bishop of Washington, on Wednesday defended the clemency plea she made to President Donald Trump during an inaugural prayer service a day earlier on behalf of immigrants and others.
“We’re in a particularly tough moment when it comes to the conversation around the immigrant population in our midst, and that’s why I’ve taken the tone that I’ve taken now,” Budde said during an MSNBC interview. Bade said during an MSNBC interview.
Trump attended the opening prayer at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, during which Bade implored the president to “have mercy on the people of our country who are now afraid” and specifically gay, bisexual and transgender people. and referred to transgender children, some of whom are. Said “fear of their lives.”
Budde told host Rachel Maddow that instead of using “sweeping terms,” ​​he tried to appeal directly to Trump, who he noted was elected by millions of voters.
“I wanted, as you heard, a plea, to request that he extend his characterization to those who are now frightened and in danger of losing everything, and I thought to say That would be a more respectable way,” Bade said.
During Tuesday’s sermon, Bade also talked about immigrants, saying that while some of them are not citizens or don’t have proper documentation, “the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
Budde said during Wednesday’s interview that the purpose of his sermon was to “appeal not only to the president, but to everyone who might be listening, to appeal to what is true about our immigrant neighbors.” Know, who they are, what kind of people they are. We are happy to join them and remember what it means to be America.
A day before Bade’s speech, Trump ended his first day in office by signing an executive order. Who said that the federal government will recognize only two sexes.Reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy for men and women, and those seeking to enter the United States through Mexico during their first term. Trump also declared a national emergency on the border that would likely allow the Department of Defense to deploy the military and National Guard to the border.
Trump criticized the sermon on Wednesday. A post on True Socialcalling Bade a “so-called bishop” and a “hard-line Trump-hater of the radical left.”
White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt also took aim at Bude in comments to Fox News on Wednesday, saying he has “chosen to weaponize the pulpit,” adding that the bishop’s remarks during the sermon ” It was very bad, and he should apologize to President Trump for the lies he told.”
Asked Wednesday how she would respond to the vitriol she received after her sermon, Budde said she was “trying to encourage a different kind of conversation.”
“Of course you can disagree with me. You can disagree with what I have said or done. But can we, as Americans and as fellow children of God, talk to each other respectfully? I you.” I will offer the same,” he said. .
