Rev. Mariann Budde the Episcopal Bishop of Washington defended a plea for mercy she made to President Donald Trump on behalf of immigrants and others during an inaugural prayer service a day before.

The president may not have approved of Mariann Edgar Budde’s homily at the National Cathedral. But the bishop answered to a higher moral calling.

The new president was in Washington D.C. for church services Tuesday when Bishop Mariann Budde, born in New Jersey, asked Trump during the service to have “mercy” on undocumented immigrants and other marginal groups, which Trump has spoken critical of during his campaign.

President Donald Trump, left, watches as Rev. Mariann Budde, second right, arrives at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump,

Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) heavily criticized statements made by the Right Rev. Mariann Budde on Tuesday at the inaugural prayer service held for President Trump. “The person giving this sermon

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has an answer for President Donald Trump about his idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: Ceproprie via CNN Newsource) Authorities say the remains of a missing mother were found hidden behind a newly built wall in ...

Donald Trump reacts to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's sermon, calling it 'nasty' amid ongoing debates on LGBTQ+ rights and immigration policies.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

New president furious over prayer service appeal for compassion and tells government departments to prepare to dismiss employees hired under diversity initiatives

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington speaks during a service outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, in a Friday, June 19, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo ...

For centuries, houses of worship have served as havens for people needing refuge — and, in recent decades, sanctuary from the U.S. government.

Bishop Mariann Budde led a service on Trump’s second day in office and told him people feared his executive order. He said her sermon was “not too exciting”.