Donald Trump lashes out, insults Episcopal Bishop who sought his mercy
What should have only been a side note to Donald Trump’s first few days of his presidency is instead trending in the nation’s headlines following a January 21 prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral where the 47th U.S. President and the First Lady were in attendance and sitting in the front row. During her sermon, the Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde who serves as the Episcopal Bishop of D.C., addressed the president directly, making a plea to him to, “to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
Some world leaders might have smiled, listened and nodded – if not in agreement, then at least in being receptive to the comments delivered by a clergy member concerned for members of the world’s flock. Donald Trump however, could be seen on camera making faces and rolling his eyes.
Below, see the complete text of Reverend Budde’s sermon as directed at the President during the service.
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“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you and, 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. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.
The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing 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, gurudwaras and temples.
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 zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people. Good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen”
Following the sermon, Budde told The New York Times, “I wasn’t necessarily calling the president out. I was trying to say, ‘The country has been entrusted to you. And one of the qualities of a leader is mercy, right? Mercy. And to be mindful of the people who are scared.”
Initially, Trump seemed to downplay his reactions to the Reverend’s sermon, although he was far from complimentary. When asked what he thought of the service, Fox News quoted the President as saying, “Not too exciting, was it? I didn’t think it was a good service, no. They can do much better.”
But it didn’t take the President too long to take the low road as Budde’s words must have festered in his memory. Early this morning, Trump took to his own personal pulpit, Truth Social, responding with the demeaning and insulting way for which he is so well known. Trump wrote:
The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology! t
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And from the lighter side of Truth Social, @joemccuiston posted:
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Trump supporter, Representative Mike Collins of Georgia came to Trump’s defense on X, posting the following clip and writing, “The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list.”
Also posted on X are some random notes from the left:
- Bishop Budde preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, & Trump did not like it. ~ @GeoffyPJohnston
- Trump, predictably, is mad that a bishop spoke up to his face today on behalf of LGBT people and immigrants. ~ @atrupar
- God bless Bishop Budde’s godliness-in-action and prayerful, unflinching callout of the cruelty pledged by this regime. That is true service to her fellow man. Listen to 2 1/2 minutes that will restore your faith – however you express it. ~ @SaysThalia
As always, this writer can respect and listen to the views of my conservative friends, although I may not always agree with them. But I would prefer a U.S. President who could take an opportunity to listen, learn and build someone up – instead of a President who lashes out with childish insults to tear someone down.
Below, see and hear Reverend Budde’s moving words as delivered in her sermon. It all sounded pretty respectful to me, and deserved a more appropriate response from our President.
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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