On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump attended a national prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, where Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a sermon urging compassion for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants. Bishop Budde emphasized the importance of mercy towards those living in fear, stating, “Have mercy on those who are afraid now.”
President Trump’s reaction to the sermon was dismissive; he described the service as “not too exciting” and suggested it “could have been better.”
This response highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and religious leaders advocating for social justice and inclusivity.
Bishop Budde has previously criticized President Trump’s actions, notably during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests when he used St. John’s Episcopal Church for a photo opportunity without prior notice to the church’s clergy. She condemned the act as a misuse of religious symbols for political purposes.
The exchange at the prayer service underscores the complex relationship between political leadership and religious institutions, especially concerning issues of human rights and social equity. As President Trump embarks on his second term, interactions like these may continue to shape the discourse on the role of faith communities in public policy.