At inaugural prayer service, bishop pleads for Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants
At inaugural prayer service, bishop pleads for Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants
President Donald Trump is demanding an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she asked him to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrants in the United States illegally during a prayer service marking his inauguration.
At the inaugural prayer service, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and undocumented migrant workers.
Referencing Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination, Budde said, “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.”
The Trump administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and toughening immigration policies.
When he returned to the White House, Trump was asked about the sermon.
“Not too exciting, was it?” the president said as he walked with staff toward the Oval Office. “I didn’t think it was a good service. They could do much better.”