Fri Jan 24 03:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Bishop Urges Trump to Show Mercy to Vulnerable Groups, Faces Backlash

**Washington, D.C.** – Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, has drawn sharp criticism from President Trump and his allies after directly appealing to him for compassion towards vulnerable communities during a National Prayer Service. In a sermon delivered Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral, Budde implored the President to show mercy to those who fear for their safety under his administration’s new policies.

Budde’s plea, delivered with President Trump in attendance, specifically addressed the president’s controversial executive orders targeting transgender individuals and potentially altering birthright citizenship. She voiced concern over the rhetoric fueling fear among immigrants, transgender individuals, and other marginalized groups. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children…some who fear for their lives,” she stated. She also emphasized that the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals, but contribute positively to society.

“How dangerous it is to speak of people in these broad categories…as all being criminals,” she said in a subsequent interview with NPR. She called for empathy and compassion, urging a move away from divisive categorization.

President Trump swiftly condemned Bishop Budde’s remarks on his Truth Social platform, calling her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and criticizing the tone of her sermon. A Republican congressman even suggested adding Budde to a deportation list, a move widely condemned as inflammatory and inappropriate.

Despite the backlash, Bishop Budde remains steadfast, stating that she has no regrets about her appeal and continues to pray for the President. While acknowledging the negative response, she emphasized her lack of hatred for President Trump and refused to apologize for her plea for mercy. She expressed regret only that the reaction confirmed the very tendency toward outrage and disrespectful dialogue she had cautioned against in her sermon.

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