The top line
The Right Reverend Marian Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, urged President Donald Trump to “have mercy” on those who are “in fear,” including LGBTQ+ members and immigrants, during an opening prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral on Tuesday. The family of
Bishop Marian Edgar Budde arrives as US President Donald Trump looks on during the National. … [+]
Key facts
During his 15-minute sermon on Tuesday, Bade addressed Trump — who was sitting in the front row — directly, referring to his belief in God’s protection from assassination, saying: ” In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people of our country who are now afraid.
Bade’s petition cited “gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families” across the country, “who fear for their lives.”
The bishop also spoke out for migrant workers, including those who “don’t have proper documentation”, saying the majority of them are “not criminals” but “good neighbours”.
Trump then spoke at the White House said The service was “not very exciting” and added that “I didn’t think it was a good service… they could do a lot better.”
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Transcript of Reverend Budde’s request to Trump
“Let me make one last plea Mr. President. Millions of people have trusted you and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the divine hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I you. Please have mercy on those in our country who now have gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some of whom fear for their lives People who pick our crops and our office Those who clean buildings, who work in poultry farms and in meat packing plants, who wash dishes after meals, and who work night shifts in hospitals may not be eligible No documents. But the majority of immigrants are not criminals. They are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques and temples. I request you, Mr. President , those people in our communities Have mercy on children who fear their parents will be taken away and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution from their land to find compassion and be here. Welcome them. Our God teaches us that we are to have mercy on strangers, for we were all strangers in this land at one time. May God give us strength and courage to respect the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth with love to one another and to walk humbly with one another and our God for the good of all people. The good of this nation and all the people of the world. amen”
Important quote
After the sermon, he grew up. told the New York Times That she wasn’t “necessarily calling out the president,” but was making a plea “out of fear” she’s seen in the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. Bade said she wanted Trump to “take care of the people who are afraid,” adding that “I was trying to say: You’ve been given the country…and one quality of a leader is compassion.”
Chief critic
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., shared a clip of a sermon on X and. wrote: “This preacher should be put on the banishment list.”
Further reading
Who is Marian Edgar Bade, the bishop who pleaded with Trump? (New York Times)
