Trump responds to bishop’s confronting inaugural prayer sermon

The swearing-in of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, was a historic moment that captured the attention of millions of people, both in the U.S. and around the world. People from all corners of the globe tuned in to witness the monumental event, which included a series of ceremonies and special services to mark the occasion.

However, it was a specific moment during one of the ceremonies that stood out and sparked a lot of discussion. This moment took place during the inaugural prayer service on Tuesday at Washington’s National Cathedral, where Bishop Mariann Budde, an Episcopal leader, gave a sermon that left many people talking.

The themes she addressed in her speech were unexpected and controversial, especially considering the setting.

As Bishop Budde stood at the pulpit, her 15-minute address seemed to captivate the room. In the midst of a day filled with celebration, she made a powerful plea to President Donald Trump, and many of her words seemed to target the challenges facing marginalized groups across the country.

Toward the end of her sermon, she directed some pointed remarks to President Trump, urging him to consider the lives of people who might be suffering under his administration.

“Mr. President, let me make one final plea,” Bishop Budde said, her voice firm and full of emotion. “Millions have placed their trust in you. As you stated yesterday, you have experienced the guiding hand of a loving God. In God’s name, I implore you to show mercy to those in our nation who are currently living in fear.”

As she spoke, she appeared to lock eyes with the President, a moment that many would later comment on as deeply impactful.

Bishop Budde went on to speak about children who might be living in fear, particularly children from LGBTQIA+ families. “There are children—gay, lesbian, and transgender—within families of all political affiliations: Democratic, Republican, and independent,” she said.

“Many of these children are living in fear for their lives.” This comment was clearly addressing the concerns that many in the LGBTQIA+ community had, with fears that Trump’s policies might negatively affect them.

The timing of the sermon was significant, especially considering that just the day before, President Trump had signed several executive orders that stirred controversy.

These included a directive affirming the biological distinction between men and women, a national emergency declaration at the southern border, and new immigration measures that many saw as harsh, including one aimed at ending birthright citizenship.

Bishop Budde didn’t shy away from addressing these actions directly. She made a powerful call for compassion, urging the President to consider the humanity of those affected by these policies.

“The individuals who harvest our crops, clean our office buildings, labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, wash dishes in restaurants, and work late-night shifts in hospitals—many of them may not hold citizenship or proper documentation. However, the vast majority are not criminals. They contribute to our economy, pay taxes, and are good neighbors,” she said.

Her words called for empathy and recognition of the vital roles that so many immigrants play in American society.

This was not the first time Bishop Budde had publicly criticized President Trump. Back in 2020, after Trump posed for a photo outside St. John’s Episcopal Church holding a Bible, while law enforcement used chemical agents to disperse peaceful protesters, Bishop Budde had spoken out strongly against him.

“Everything he has done and said has only served to incite violence. We need moral leadership, and instead, he has sown division,” she said at the time.

As Bishop Budde continued her sermon, both President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance sat in the front row, listening in silence. Neither seemed to show much reaction to the powerful words being spoken. However, not everyone was as calm. Some people reacted strongly to the sermon, including Republican Representative Mike Collins from Georgia, who took to social media to express his anger.

On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The person delivering this sermon should be added to the deportation list,” a statement that caused further controversy and was widely discussed online.

As Bishop Budde concluded her speech, she made a final, emotional plea to the President. “I urge you, Mr. President, to show mercy to those in our communities whose children are terrified of losing their parents,” she said. “Extend compassion to those fleeing war and persecution in their homelands, seeking refuge here. Our faith calls us to be merciful to strangers, for we were once strangers in this land ourselves.”

When President Trump was asked later about the sermon, he gave a short response to reporters. “I didn’t think it was a good service,” he said flatly, not giving much away in terms of his reaction to the speech.

Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon at President Trump’s inaugural prayer service certainly made waves. It raised important questions about mercy, compassion, and the treatment of vulnerable communities in the U.S. Some viewed her words as a call for justice and kindness, while others saw it as an unwelcome challenge to the newly sworn-in President.

What do you think about Bishop Budde’s sermon during President Trump’s inaugural prayer service? Do you agree with her message of mercy and compassion, or do you feel her comments were out of place at such an event? Share your thoughts in the comments below!