Official statements from Donald Trump or his representatives

Trump Demands Apology From Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde After Sermon Criticizes Executive Orders on Immigrants and LGBTQ+ Rights

Jan 22, 2025, 01:11 PM

President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington following her sermon at the Washington National Cathedral during a national prayer service marking his inauguration. During the service, Bishop Budde directly appealed to Trump to show mercy towards the country's immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the fear these groups are experiencing due to recent executive orders signed by Trump. These orders include measures to suspend asylum seekers' arrivals and expel migrants in the country illegally, as well as decrees limiting recognition to only two sexes—male and female. Trump criticized the bishop's tone as 'nasty' and accused her of bringing her church into politics in an 'ungracious way' through a post on his Truth Social platform. He further stated that the service was 'boring and uninspiring' and that Bishop Budde and her church owe the public an apology.