US President Donald Trump has labeled a Washington bishop as “nasty” and called for an apology after she criticized him from the pulpit for instilling fear among immigrants and LGBTQ individuals across the nation.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, expressed concern for LGBT individuals and undocumented immigrants—two groups that Mr. Trump targeted with executive orders shortly after his inauguration.
During yesterday’s traditional presidential service commemorating his inauguration, Mr. Trump appeared unprepared for the backlash.
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President,” the bishop gently urged, highlighting the “fear” she claimed is pervasive throughout the country.
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In a post on his Truth Social platform this morning, Mr. Trump remarked: “The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hardline Trump hater.”
“She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart…. She and her church owe the public an apology!”
On Monday, Mr. Trump announced measures to suspend the entry of asylum seekers and deport undocumented migrants.
He also declared that only two genders—male and female, excluding transgender—would be recognized.
Bishop Budde addressed Mr. Trump, who was seated in the church’s front pew alongside his wife Melania, stating: “I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President.”
When questioned about her remarks, Mr. Trump previously commented: “I didn’t think it was a good service.”
Watch: Donald Trump reacts to National Prayer Service
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In his Truth Social post, the president further criticized “illegal migrants”:
“Aside from her inappropriate statements, the service was quite dull and uninspiring. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!”
During her sermon, Bishop Budde noted: “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in families across the political spectrum.”
“The individuals who work on our farms, clean our office buildings, labor in poultry and meatpacking plants, wash the dishes in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals—many of them may not be citizens or have the proper documentation,” she stated.
“But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
Mr. Trump, who appeared unsmiling, often looked away from Bishop Budde during her speech. His family and Vice President JD Vance also seemed taken aback and displeased by the intervention.
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Trump intensifies campaign against diversity, threatens private sector scrutiny.
In the meantime, Mr. Trump has ramped up his campaign against diversity programs, pressuring the private sector to align with this initiative by directing aviation officials to review diversity hires and informing government DEI employees that they would be placed on paid leave.
Civil rights advocates contend that such programs are essential to rectify systemic inequities and racial discrimination.
In a new executive order issued yesterday, Mr. Trump rescinded executive orders dating as far back as 1965 related to environmental actions, equal employment opportunities, and encouraging federal contractors to improve workforce diversity regarding race, gender, and religion.
The 1965 order, enacted by President Lyndon Johnson, aimed to safeguard the rights of workers employed by federal contractors and ensure protection against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, per the Labor Department’s findings.
The Trump executive order seeks to deter private companies receiving government contracts from hiring marginalized individuals, which the order describes as “illegal DEI discrimination and preferences,” and requested government agencies identify private companies that might be subject to civil investigation.
Details on how the Trump administration plans to enforce “civil compliance investigations” were not immediately provided.
The order stipulates that preferences for military veterans in federal and private sector employment could continue.
Separately, the Trump administration directed US federal government departments and agencies to dismantle all DEI initiatives, advising employees linked to such programs that they would face immediate paid leave.
By the end of business today, the government is expected to alert employees within any government offices or units exclusively focused on DEI that their programs will be terminated and employees placed on leave, according to a memorandum from the Office of Personnel Management.
Mr. Trump also signed a memorandum that abolishes a Biden administration initiative aimed at promoting diversity within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), commanding the FAA Administrator to promptly cease DEI hiring programs, according to reports from the White House.
Furthermore, Mr. Trump called for the FAA to conduct a safety review that would replace any employees unable to prove their competence.
“President Trump is putting an end to this illegal and perilous program and mandating that all FAA hiring is strictly based on the safety of airline passengers and overall job excellence,” the White House stated in a fact sheet.
