At a prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral following Donald Trump’s inauguration, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of Washington addressed the newly sworn-in president and his administration, urging compassion for immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In her remarks, Bishop Budde acknowledged the responsibility entrusted to the new administration by millions of Americans and appealed to Trump’s sense of faith and compassion. Referring to Trump’s inaugural address, she said, “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.”
Budde highlighted the fears faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly children, following recent policy changes. She made this plea after Trump signed executive orders replacing the term “gender” with “sex” on government documents, effectively recognizing only male and female genders, and rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives,” she stated.
Addressing concerns over Trump’s immigration policies, which included promises of mass deportations and efforts to end birthright citizenship, Budde spoke about the contributions of immigrants to American society. “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking 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, gurdwaras, and temples,” she said.
The bishop also urged Trump to show compassion for children who fear family separations and for those fleeing war and persecution. “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 and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here,” she said.
Bishop Budde concluded her remarks with a call for truth and unity that embraces diversity, reminding the congregation of the teachings of faith. “Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.”
President Trump and members of his administration remained silent during Budde’s appeal.