Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s sermon in front of Trump in which she asks for clemency for migrants and LGBT people (and the president’s discontent)
Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Drafting
- Author’s title, BBC News World
Sitting in the front row, next to his wife, Melania, President Donald Trump listened to a sermon this Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral that caught the attention of many in the United States.
“Mr. President: millions have put their trust in you. And as you said yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of God, I ask that you have mercy for people in our country who are afraid now,” Budde said.
“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children, and Democratic and Republican and independent families, some of whom fear for their lives,” he continued.
Trump, who was looking straight ahead at first, began to move his head in other directions. Vice President JD Vance was more expressive, turning his face to look at his wife.
The bishop continued advocating for migrants: “People who pick crops, who clean our offices. Who work on farms and in meat packing plants. Who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants. And who work night shifts in hospitals.” .
Image source, Getty Images
“They may not be citizens, or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of migrants are not criminals. They pay taxes, they are our neighbors, they are faithful members of our churches, mosques, synagogues and temples,” said the diocesan bishop, who has been at the head of this cathedral of the American Episcopal Church since 2011.
“I ask that you show mercy to those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away. And to help those fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands find compassion and welcome here.”
Budde’s words were part of a church service marking Trump’s inauguration as US president the day before.
The president, vice president and their respective families, as well as dozens of guests, attended the Washington National Cathedral.
“It wasn’t very exciting”
Budde’s sermon came after Trump signed a series of executive orders on Monday that affect minorities, such as migrants or the LGBT community.
The president decreed a state of emergency on the border with Mexico, the effects of which are to prevent the arrival of new asylum applications.
Likewise, he has promised a mass deportation of undocumented migrants.
He also decreed the elimination of the inclusive policies established in the previous government. Trump said that the government will only consider two genders, male and female, and public institutions and the military will stop pursuing policies for the transgender community.
Image source, Getty Images
Following the service, President Trump returned to the White House, where he expressed his thoughts on the sermon and the church service in general.
“It wasn’t very exciting. I didn’t think it was a good service… They could have done it much better,” he added upon entering the presidential residence.
The sermon caused surprise and became one of the topics of the day in Washington DC and the rest of the country, since it is not usual for the president of the United States to face such a statement.
Some praised Budde for raising a plea for mercy for America’s minorities.
Others were critical, such as Republican Rep. Mike Collins, who said Budde should be “added to the deportation list,” even though the bishop is American.
Subscribe here to our new newsletter to receive a selection of our best content of the week every Friday.
And remember that you can receive notifications in our app. Download the latest version and activate them.
