Washington’s Episcopal Bishop challenges Trump on LGBTQ, immigration policies

World news: Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, gave a stirring sermon at President Donald Trump's inaugural prayer service, calling on him to "have mercy" on LGBTQ individuals and undocumented migrant workers. Addressing the congregation at the Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Budde appealed directly to the President, saying, "Millions have put their trust in you. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now."

Pointing to the fears of minority groups, Budde named gay, lesbian, and transgender people as among those who fear for their lives. She was speaking one day after the Trump administration released several contentious executive orders, including moves to roll back transgender rights and to toughen immigration policies.

Trump's controversial immigration order sparks outrage

The most contested of these executive actions is a birthright citizenship revocation. According to the new policy, a child born in the US will acquire citizenship only if at least one of the parents is a US citizen or a green card holder. It thus cancelled an old standalone principle of US law and fuelled ongoing immigration reform debates. Later, when asked about the sermon, Trump dismissed it, saying, "Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service."

Bishop Budde: A trailblazer and advocate

Mariann Edgar Budde oversees 86 Episcopal congregations and ten schools in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is the first woman elected to this position and chairs the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation. Some of her key focuses include LGBTQ inclusion, gun violence prevention, racial equality, and immigration reform.

Before becoming the ninth bishop of Washington in 2011, Budde spent 18 years as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. She holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Virginia Theological Seminary and has authored three books, including How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith (2023).

Unity and interfaith dialogue at the inaugural service

The religious leaders present at the service were from all faith traditions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Muslim. Budde emphasizes unity as she declares, "Unity is not partisan." She calls for building bridges across divisions, reflecting the Cathedral's history of hosting Inaugural services since 1933.