A Sermon That Stirred the Nation: Bishop Mariann Budde’s Bold Plea at Trump’s Inaugural Prayer Service
As the world tuned in to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, one moment from the festivities has captured widespread attention—and stirred deep emotions across the political spectrum. It wasn’t a speech from a politician or a musical performance that sparked conversation, but a powerful sermon from Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde at the National Cathedral’s inaugural prayer service.
In a striking 15-minute address, Bishop Budde delivered a message that was anything but routine. Rather than offering solely ceremonial blessings, she used the sacred platform to make a direct, emotional appeal to the new president. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” she said, her voice unwavering. “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.”
With her gaze fixed on President Trump, the bishop didn’t hold back. She gave voice to those feeling vulnerable in a shifting America, including LGBTQIA+ youth—”gay, lesbian, and transgender children who fear for their lives,” she said, her words echoing through the vaulted halls of the cathedral. It was a moment that brought many in the crowd to stunned silence.
The sermon came less than 24 hours after President Trump signed a flurry of executive orders that ignited immediate controversy. Among them were directives recognizing binary definitions of gender, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.–Mexico border, and dismantling birthright citizenship—each of which sent shockwaves through immigrant and minority communities.
Bishop Budde didn’t sidestep these developments. Instead, she acknowledged the vital contributions of immigrants and implored the administration to act with compassion and conscience. Her sermon was a call to moral leadership, urging the president to govern not with fear or division, but with empathy and justice.
At a time when ceremonial prayers often pass quietly, Budde’s address served as a reminder that faith leaders still carry the power to challenge, to provoke, and to inspire.
