Rev. Mariann Budde said she refuses to apologize to President Donald Trump for her recent remarks, and she issued a new plea to Americans to “speak to one another with respect.” The Episcopal Bishop of Washington said she has been facing a wave of hate for her sermon during Tuesday’s inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral,

Rev. Mariann Budde the Episcopal Bishop of Washington defended a plea for mercy she made to President Donald Trump on behalf of immigrants and others during an inaugural prayer service a day before.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde isn’t afraid to speak truth to power. Unlike almost everyone else in President Donald Trump’s orbit these days. And she has no plans to apologize for asking Trump to show mercy on the people he has terrorized in his first days back in power.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde instantly became a topic of national conversation after issuing a heartfelt plea directly to President Donald Trump during a sermon one day after inauguration day. Here’s what to know about the Episcopalian Bishop, the prayer service, and the reaction.

The National Prayer Service is still getting plenty of attention.

President Donald Trump, left, watches as Rev. Mariann Budde, second right, arrives at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump,

Bishop Budde, at the inaugural service, had directly appealed to US President Donald Trump to ‘have mercy’ on the LGBTQ community and migrant workers.

President Donald Trump Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop who criticized his hardline policies on immigration and LGBTQ rights at the National Prayer Service on his first full day back in the White House.

I can't believe a so-called 'bishop' would stand up in church and ask President Trump to engage in some weird liberal behavior called 'mercy.'

Ross Ulbricht ran Silk Road, an online black market that moved $200 million worth of illegal drugs, distributed fake passports, helped hackers collaborate, and laundered money. He was also prosecuted for allegedly soliciting six murders for hire, one against a former employee.

Episcopalians own the cathedral of D.C. culture  Thus, journalists embedded in Beltway life applauded Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.