In a scene that few would have anticipated, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde stood at the pulpit of the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and delivered a direct and impassioned sermon to President Donald Trump. Speaking at the traditional National Prayer Service held after Inauguration Day, she urged the newly sworn-in president to exercise mercy toward immigrants, LGBTQ children, and other marginalized communities. While the setting was solemn and the audience prestigious, her words cut through formalities like a clarion call, particularly for the transgender community, which has felt increasingly under siege by rapidly issued executive orders.
Trump, seated in the first row alongside his family and Vice President JD Vance, was visibly uncomfortable. The bishop’s message, broadcast to the world, was a stinging reminder that many Americans—including trans individuals, their families, and allies—fear a drastic rollback of civil rights. To those who advocate for inclusivity and compassion, Budde’s courage offered a glimmer of hope on a day that otherwise brought harsh policy declarations.
The Setting: A Tradition Steeped in History
Since 1993, the National Cathedral has hosted a multi-faith National Prayer Service on the day following a presidential inauguration. Meant as a unifying ritual, it typically features clergy from various faiths who come together to pray for the new administration. Presidents of both major political parties have attended, demonstrating a time-honored sense of reverence and bipartisanship. This year, however, the mood was far from harmonious.
Within hours of being sworn in, President Trump had signed numerous executive orders that have stirred anxiety—particularly among LGBTQ individuals and immigrants. Among them was a directive that the United States would recognize only two sexes, male and female, essentially erasing recognition of transgender identities from federal policy. Another order ended what the administration termed “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies, further signaling a swift pivot away from the progress made under previous administrations.
That ominous backdrop set the stage for Budde’s bold sermon. When she took the podium, many expected a measured address, possibly focusing on unity or national healing. Instead, the bishop spoke directly and unequivocally about the human consequences of Trump’s executive onslaught.
The Bishop’s Message: A Plea for Mercy
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde began, her voice steady but laden with urgency. Her gaze never wavered from the front pew, where Trump sat next to the vice president. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families. Some who fear for their lives.”
At that moment, the tension in the cathedral was palpable. In a place typically reserved for prayers of goodwill, Budde brought concerns right to the president’s doorstep, describing the climate of fear among transgender youth who worry about their safety, their rights, and their futures. According to observers, the family members seated with Trump shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
She went on to speak of immigrants who—while living, working, and worshipping in the United States—now face the possibility of separation from their families or deportation. “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches, mosques, and synagogues,” she emphasized, calling for the administration to consider the humanity behind the policies.
Reaction from the President and Vice President
Trump’s reaction was swift, if somewhat muted on camera. He leaned over to Vice President Vance at one point, whispering a terse comment. Body language experts observed Trump fidgeting with the program in front of him, occasionally looking away from Budde, and glancing back at family members with fleeting expressions of impatience. Vance, on the other hand, exhibited signs of surprise and discomfort, sharing a few wary glances with his wife.
When reporters later asked Trump for his thoughts on Budde’s sermon, he offered a stark assessment: “I didn’t think it was a good service,” the president quipped, adding, “They could do much better.” The brevity of his response contrasted sharply with the length and depth of Budde’s plea, which lingered in the cathedral’s air long after the service ended.
Historical Context: Budde’s Ongoing Criticisms of Trump
For the LGBTQ community, especially transgender individuals, Budde’s remarks were reminiscent of her past willingness to confront the president’s policies. In 2020, during the George Floyd protests, she condemned Trump’s decision to use tear gas on peaceful demonstrators so he could pose with a Bible in front of St. John’s Church—a building under her ecclesiastical authority. At that time, she penned a scorching op-ed in The New York Times, writing that the president’s actions were “antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for.”
Budde’s consistent outspokenness has resonated with many who see religious institutions as potential allies rather than adversaries in the fight for social justice. Her strong words at the National Prayer Service did more than simply echo a political talking point—they underscored the moral dimensions of Trump’s policies, suggesting that faith and compassion should transcend party lines.
Impact on the Transgender Community
The flurry of executive orders signed by Trump—aimed at eliminating key protections and recognition for transgender people—has struck fear and uncertainty into a community already grappling with societal stigma and legal vulnerabilities. For many trans folks, Budde’s direct confrontation of the president was not just a noteworthy act of defiance; it was a lifeline, reminding them that they are not alone in this fight.
From a practical standpoint, the administration’s insistence on defining gender as strictly male or female casts doubt on existing protections against discrimination in healthcare, education, and employment. It also raises questions about passport gender markers and other federal documents that transgender people rely on to navigate daily life. The reversal of DEI programs, meanwhile, signals a broad rollback of efforts to create inclusive workplaces and institutions.
Families of transgender youth also face renewed fears regarding their children’s ability to access affirming care, use bathrooms that align with their gender, and participate fully in school activities without harassment. Budde’s vocal challenge offered a counterpoint to the administration’s drumbeat of executive orders, reinforcing the notion that acceptance and support can—and should—come from all corners of society, including faith communities.
A Bishop’s Courage: Speaking Truth to Power
For allies and advocates, Budde’s sermon personified the concept of “speaking truth to power.” In an era where political leaders often dominate the headlines with sweeping declarations, it can be easy to overlook the human cost of policymaking. Budde refused to let that happen. Her words were as much an admonition to the president as they were a rallying cry for everyday Americans who believe in empathy.
That she delivered her message in such a public and historic setting underscores the urgency of the moment. The service was meant to mark the beginning of a new chapter in American governance; for Budde, that chapter should not be one of discrimination or fear.
Unity Through Compassion
Bishop Budde’s sermon reminds us that faith—whatever its form—often calls its adherents to compassion, particularly for the most vulnerable among us. Whether or not one shares her religious convictions, her moral insistence on mercy strikes a chord in turbulent times. Transgender individuals, their families, and allies have long relied on solidarity and empathy to push back against systemic challenges. Hearing a bishop stand at the pulpit of a major religious institution and champion their cause was a moment of profound significance.
Many in the transgender community expressed gratitude. Social media buzzed with messages commending Budde for her courage and empathy. One Twitter user wrote, “Bishop Budde did something so many are afraid to do—she held the president accountable right to his face. We need more faith leaders to follow her example!”
The Bottom Line
It remains unclear how the Trump administration will respond to Budde’s plea—or whether it will respond at all beyond the president’s initial dismissal. Legal battles surrounding his executive orders have already begun, with lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of revoking protections based on gender identity. Immigration advocates, meanwhile, are mobilizing to contest the administration’s new directives aimed at limiting asylum and expediting deportations.
For the time being, Budde’s message stands as a clarion call for mercy in a climate where policy decisions can feel coldly transactional. Especially for transgender individuals and their families, the sermon offered solace—and a reminder that moral courage can emerge from the most unexpected quarters. At a moment when fear seems pervasive, her words deliver a necessary counterbalance of hope, urging leaders and everyday citizens alike to choose empathy over exclusion.
In an era defined by swift, controversial actions from the top, it’s heartening to see a bishop remind the world that compassion for LGBTQ people and immigrants is not merely a political issue—it’s a moral one. For those who identify as transgender, or love someone who does, Bishop Budde’s appeal was a powerful affirmation that they are seen, valued, and worthy of spiritual and societal inclusion. And in the grand setting of the National Cathedral, her plea resonated with renewed power: sometimes, a single voice of truth can reverberate louder than any policy signed behind closed doors.
