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.

"The people who are in danger are the people who fear for their lives and their livelihoods," Budde said in an interview. "That’s where the focus should be."

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and their families were in attendance at the prayer service on Tuesday.

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.

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

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.

Readers respond to the Right Rev. Mariann Budde’s message to President Donald Trump at Washington National Cathedral. Regarding the Jan. 22 Metro article “ At National Prayer Service, a plea to Trump: ‘Have mercy’ ”:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves,” says a passage from the Bible. These words were written thousands of years ago but are applicable today.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Diocese of Washington, said Wednesday that she will continue to pray for President Donald Trump, hours after he lashed out at her over a sermon.