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,

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.

The Episcopal bishop of Washington spoke with NPR to discuss her sermon addressing President Trump and why she asked him to have mercy.

Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, is a prominent religious leader who advocates for social justice issues, including immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an apology from Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde after she made a direct appeal to him for “mercy” toward LGBT-identified Americans and illegal immigrants during an inaugural prayer service.

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.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration Tuesday, which went viral and prompted the president to call her “nasty in tone” and “not compelling or smart.

Bishop Mariann Budde, who went viral after scolding Donald Trump, took to The View after he demanded an apology.

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Mariann Budde gave Trump a public dressing-down during a customary inaugural service at the Washington National Cathedral on January 21.

I am not a religious person, but that does not mean that I disagree with everything the clergy says or does. On the contrary, I recently found myself even in full agreement. On 21 January, during the the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.