On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump, his family, First Lady Melania, and JD Vance and his wife, Usha, attended an Episcopal prayer service to welcome and bless the incoming administration. The service was presided over by the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., Mariann Edgar Budde. Everything proceeded as expected until the bishop used the pulpit to promote her personal agenda.
In the final moments of her sermon, she deliberately turned her attention to President Trump, imploring him to "have mercy" on the immigrant population that has entered the country illegally in recent years—an influx endorsed and allowed by the administration of former President Joe Biden.
The phrase "have mercy" is worth examining. Did the previous administration consider mercy when families were separated at the border, with older children often trafficked, while younger ones were orphaned, lost, or abandoned? Was mercy discussed when criminals among these groups committed violent crimes, including rape, theft, and murder, against American citizens? Not to mention the vast quantities of fentanyl pouring into the country.
Due to Trump’s executive orders addressing these deportations, Bishop Budde claimed, "They are scared now," and "they are looking over their shoulders." But should Americans be the ones looking over their shoulders? Should citizens be concerned when jobs are taken by those who enter illegally? Does the distinction between legal and illegal immigration matter? Could those entering illegally seek some form of legal status before arriving?
As Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, pointed out, this forum was entirely inappropriate for the bishop to push her political views. The pulpit should not have been used on a national stage to humiliate and condemn President Trump. Even the Cathedral Dean, Randolph Hollerith, had previously stated in October, "This will not be a service for a new administration."
If Bishop Budde were truly refined, cultured, and compassionate, she could have arranged a private meeting with President Trump to discuss immigration and other important issues. Several weeks ago, on Sean Hannity’s television program, a lengthy list of mostly women—complete with their full names, ages, home states, and the manner of their injuries or deaths—was displayed on the screen.
Did Bishop Budde speak of mercy then? Did she attend any of their funerals? The prayer service should have emphasized holiness, grace, and fairness, remaining non-partisan in nature. Instead, her antagonistic behavior in a church setting was completely inappropriate.
In conclusion, there were many reasons why Trump’s second election was a landslide. A simple Google search of the electoral map from election night will show which color dominated.
As President Trump moves forward with executive orders to restore the nation, may he truly Make America Great Again.
By Joanne Seward
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