The inauguration of President Donald Trump was a globally watched event, drawing millions of viewers from both the United States and around the world. One of the most talked-about moments came from Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon, which surprised many with its candid remarks.
Bishop Budde’s Direct Address to President Trump
During her 15-minute sermon, Bishop Mariann Budde made a direct appeal to President Trump. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” she said. “Millions have entrusted their hopes and futures to you. You mentioned feeling the providential hand of a loving God guiding you.”
She called upon Trump to consider those anxious about their future, casting a glance towards him as she spoke. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children within Democratic, Republican, and independent families who fear for their lives,” she highlighted, addressing apprehensions within the LGBTQIA+ community regarding Trump’s policies.
Bishop Budde spoke on several executive orders signed by Trump, including those “recognizing that women are biologically distinct from men,” declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and measures aimed at ending birthright citizenship. She emphasized compassion for those whose work supports society as a whole:
“The people who pick our crops, clean our office buildings, labor on farms, and work shifts in our hospitals—they may not be citizens or have proper documentation, but most are not criminals. They contribute to society, pay taxes, and are good neighbors.”
Bishop Budde’s Criticism of Trump Continues
Bishop Budde has not shied away from criticizing Trump in previous instances. In 2020, after Trump posed with a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church, following the use of chemical agents to disperse racial justice protesters, she remarked, “Everything he has done in these moments is inciting violence. We need moral leadership, yet he chooses to divide.”
In her sermon, the bishop reiterated, “I ask for mercy, Mr. President, for those fearing the loss of their parents. Help those fleeing war zones and persecution to be welcomed here. Our teachings encourage mercy to strangers, as we all were once strangers in this land.”
President Trump’s Reaction to the Sermon
When asked about Bishop Budde’s sermon, President Trump expressed his disapproval, stating, “I didn’t think it was a good service.”
On social media, Republican U.S. Representative Mike Collins from Georgia weighed in on the bishop’s service, posting, “The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list.”
While discussions stirred on social platforms, the bishop’s words left many contemplating the paths ahead as the new administration took its first steps.
