Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde issued a specific message to those who supported her
The Bishop of Washington, who previously called out Donald Trump for his divisive rhetoric on migrants and the LGBTQ community, has returned to social media with a powerful new message.
After Donald Trump took office, he wasted no time enacting controversial executive orders, including one that declared there are “only two genders” and several measures restricting migrants’ ability to enter or stay in the country.
In response, Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde took a bold stand during a service at the Washington National Cathedral on January 21, where Trump was present. Her call for compassion and justice sparked a wave of backlash online, with some condemning her remarks, while others defended the bishop, supporting her call for “mercy” in the face of such policies.
In her heartfelt plea, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde addressed President Trump directly:
“Mr. President, millions have placed 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 on those in our country who are living in fear. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in every type of family—Democratic, Republican, and Independent—many of whom fear for their lives. And then there are the workers who pick our crops, clean our office buildings, and labor in poultry farms and meat-packing plants. They may not have the proper documentation, but the majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
After the service, Trump dismissed the moment as “not too exciting” and stated that “they could do much better.”
In response, Bishop Mariann reflected thoughtfully to CNN, saying: “I wanted to gently remind them of the humanity of those affected and their place in our wider community.”
Fast forward to February 25, 2025, when Bishop Mariann returned to social media after a break to share her gratitude. In an Instagram video, she expressed her heartfelt thanks to all who supported her:
“Hi friends, it’s Bishop Mariann here. I’ve been away from social media for a while, but I wanted to come back and say thank you. The letters, phone calls, notes, and gifts of encouragement and support have meant the world to me. I believe there is a spirit of love and goodness in this country that flows through all of us. Now, more than ever, it’s time for us to stand together, draw courage from each other, and be brave in holding on to the good things about us and about our nation.”
“We can do this, especially when we remember that we are never alone. When one of us falters, there are hundreds standing strong with us. Sometimes, we stand firm for those who can’t, knowing that together, God will work through us to build the kind of society, the kind of community, that we all deserve—and that we want to pass on to those who come after us.
Take good care, have courage, and remember: together, we can all be brave.”
