Topline
Title: The Bishop's Chat with Trump During the Inaugural Prayer Service - A Transcript Breakdown
Bishop Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, delivered a firm plea to President Donald Trump during the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. The sermon, held on January 21, 2025, was part of the tradition that started back in 1933, aiming to pray for unity, reconciliation, and to bridge gaps in a divided nation. Budde's address focused on three fundamentals: respecting the dignity of every human being, honesty, and humility.
Key Facts
Budde's 15-minute admonition directly addressed Trump, seated in the front row. Referencing Trump's belief in God saving him from an assassination attempt, she urged the president to show mercy towards people across the nation, frightened by the current political climate. These individuals included members of the LGBTQ+ community, who "fear for their lives," as well as immigrants, mostly undocumented workers often working in kitchens, hospitals, and other establishments. Budde emphasized that the vast majority of these immigrants are law-abiding individuals who pay taxes and contribute positively to their communities.
Following the sermon, Trump criticized the service as "not too exciting", labeling it "not a good service." Trump also complained about Budde on his social media platform, calling her a "Radical Left hardline Trump hater," who "brought her church into the world of politics in an ungracious way."
Transcript Of Rev. Budde’s Plea To Trump
Budde's impassioned plea to Trump went as follows:
"I 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. The people who pick our crops and clean our offices, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing 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. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras, and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and to walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people. Amen."
Crucial Quote
Upon concluding her sermon, Budde told the New York Times that she was "not necessarily calling the president out." Instead, she intended to present a plea "because of the fear" she has witnessed among LGBTQ+ communities and immigrants. Budde hoped that Trump would be sensitive to the fear and desire for mercy among these frightened groups, sharing the belief that empathy is one of the essential qualities of a strong leader.
Chief Critic
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., criticized Bishop Budde's actions, directly stating that the person delivering the sermon "should be added to the deportation list."
Further Reading
For a deeper understanding of Bishop Mariann Budde and her motivations, you can explore this in-depth article “Who Is Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop Who Made a Plea to Trump?” published by the New York Times.
In response to Bishop Mariann Budde's impassioned plea during the inaugural prayer service, President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction, labeling the service as "not too exciting" and "not a good service." Additionally, Trump took to his social media platform to criticize Budde, referring to her as a "Radical Left hardline Trump hater," who had brought her church into the world of politics in an "ungracious way."
