President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticise Episcopal Washington Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, calling her “nasty” after her sermon during Tuesday’s inaugural prayer service. The event traditionally takes place at Washington’s National Cathedral soon after a president is sworn in, but this year’s ceremony turned sour thanks to a war of words between the Bishop and the President.
A Sermon Sparks a Storm
Bishop Budde didn’t hold back on her views. She urged Trump to show “mercy” to those living in fear under his administration. Her message touched on topics such as LGBT rights and immigration, all of which she claimed were matters requiring compassion. “There are gay, lesbian, transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives,” she said.
Trump Fires Back
By Wednesday morning, Trump had posted a searing rebuttal on Truth Social. Labeling Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater,” the President denounced her sermon as “ungracious” and “nasty.” He said she brought politics into what should have been a spiritual occasion, noting he found the entire service “boring and uninspiring.”
Crime and Contention
Budde’s sermon asked for empathy towards illegal immigrants, calling most of them law-abiding, tax-paying neighbours. Trump, however, countered that some illegal migrants have committed violent crimes, implying Budde ignored such realities. Although he didn’t name specific victims in his post, he stressed that “many were deposited from jails and mental institutions,” leading to what he called “a giant crime wave.”
Demands for an Apology
Finally, Trump closed with a demand that Budde should “apologise” for her sermon, claiming she isn’t good at her role. Whether that apology will materialise remains to be seen, but for now, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their opposing views—making this a prayer service no one will soon forget.
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