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.

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, 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 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 drew President Trump’s ire Wednesday morning after she used a National Catheral prayer service to issue a call for mercy against members of the LGBTQ and immigrant communities.

Bishop Mariann E. Budde, of the Episcopal Church, pleaded to Donald Trump to have "mercy" on immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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.

Mariann Budde, 65, is the Episcopalian bishop who confronted Trump during the National Prayer Service. Trump and Vice President JD Vance were in attendance as part of their first full day in the Oval Office.

President Trump and Republicans this week slammed a plea for “mercy” by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde during a Tuesday morning prayer service, calling it unjustified and inappropriate. But she is unfazed by their denunciations.

The Comedy Central program on Thursday cut clips of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington’s calm and measured plea to Trump that he have “mercy” on those people his policies may harm alongside footage of Fox News hosts and talking heads responding to her.

The worship service proceeded routinely until a female reverend, reportedly Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde took the podium and delivered what can only be described as a political hit job aimed directly at the President of the United States – a shockingly disrespectful display in what should have been a traditionally non-partisan sermon,