The Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, on Wednesday defended a plea for mercy she made to President Donald Trump on behalf of immigrants and others during an inaugural prayer service a day earlier.
“We are in a particularly tough time when it comes to conversations about immigrant populations among us, and that was the reason for the tone I took now,” Budde said during an interview with MSNBC.
Trump attended the inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, during which Budde implored the president to “have mercy on the people of our country who are now scared” and referred specifically to gay, lesbian and transgender children. , some of whom she said “feared for their lives.”
Budde told host Rachel Maddow that instead of using “broad terms,” she sought to make a direct appeal to Trump, whom she said millions of voters had entrusted with power.
“I wanted to make you, as you heard, a plea, a request to expand your characterization of the people who are now scared and at risk of losing everything, and I thought that would be the most respectful way to say it. ” Budde said.
During Tuesday’s sermon, Budde also spoke about immigrants, saying that while some of them may not be citizens or have proper documentation, “the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
Budde said during Wednesday’s interview that his sermon was intended to “appeal not only to the president, but to everyone who might be listening, to appeal to what we know to be true about our immigrant neighbors, who they are, the kind of people “We are lucky to be among them and remember them in our understanding of what it means to be America.”
A day before Budde’s sermon, Trump had capped his first day in office by signing an executive order that said the federal government would recognize only two sexes, male and female, and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy implemented during his first mandate. term for those seeking to enter the United States through Mexico. Trump also declared a national emergency at the border that would potentially allow the Department of Defense to deploy the military and National Guard to the border.
Trump on Wednesday criticized the sermon in a post on Truth Social, calling Budde a “so-called bishop” and “a left-wing radical who hates Trump.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also took aim at Budde in comments to Fox News on Wednesday, saying he had chosen to “weaponize the pulpit,” adding that the bishop’s comments during the sermon “were atrocious.” , and should apologize to President Trump for the lies she told.”
When asked Wednesday how he would respond to the vitriol he received after his sermon, Budde said he was trying to “encourage a different kind of conversation.”
“You can certainly disagree with me. You can disagree with what I’ve said or done. But could we, as Americans and children of God, speak to each other with respect? I would offer the same,” he said. .
