President Donald Trump commented on remarks by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde at the National Prayer Service, describing the event as “not too exciting.” Budde, known for her left-wing activism and criticism of Trump, used her platform to focus on LGBTQ issues, immigration, and other progressive causes.
During her address, Budde claimed LGBTQ individuals, including children, “fear for their lives,” and urged mercy for illegal immigrants, emphasizing their contributions to the workforce. She stated, “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.” Budde’s comments drew reactions from the audience, including Vice President JD Vance.
This is not the first time Budde has clashed with Trump. In 2020, after St. John’s Episcopal Church was damaged during a Black Lives Matter protest, Trump visited the site, holding a Bible in front of the church. Budde criticized Trump’s visit but did not comment on the damage caused to the historic church.
Trump recently signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The order emphasizes the importance of maintaining biological realities in federal policies, particularly concerning women and children. Some speculate Budde’s remarks were a response to this policy.
Trump’s order states, “The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system.” The order aims to counteract gender ideology in federal programs while reinforcing biological distinctions in policy-making.
Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has a history of political activism. In 2020, she told ABC News she had “given up speaking to President Trump” and called for his replacement.
