Before dozens of attendees at a national prayer service in Washington, D.C., the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington addressed President Donald Trump directly in her homily on Tuesday, urging him to reconsider his attacks on marginalized communities.
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have compassion for the people of our country who are afraid right now,” the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde told Trump as he sat in the front row of the Washington National Cathedral. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children, and Democratic, Republican and independent families, some of whom fear for their lives.”
Budde made her plea on behalf of undocumented immigrants who work, pay taxes and live, among other things, as well as on behalf of refugees who come to the United States in search of safety and a better life.
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities – these children are afraid that their parents will be taken away,” she said. “And that you help those fleeing war zones and persecution in their own countries find compassion and welcome here.”
Budde’s comments came the day after Trump signed a series of executive actions on his first day in office, including orders to crack down on immigration and roll back protections for transgender Americans. Some of his executive orders — such as his attempt to roll back Birthright — are already facing legal challenges.
Budde delivered her sermon during a national prayer service that newly inaugurated presidents attend as part of a long tradition. He was accompanied by his family and Vice President JD Vance.
It is unusual for a president to be confronted so directly in such an environment. Some praised Budde for her courage in publicly calling Trump out on his policies, while some of the president’s MAGA allies criticized her. Rep. For example, Mike Collins, R-Ga., inexplicably called for Budde, a U.S. citizen, to be “added to the deportation list.”
Trump did not seem to take Budde’s words to heart. Upon returning to the White House, Trump told a reporter that the service was “not too exciting.”
“I didn’t think it was good service,” he added. “They can do much better.”
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com