Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has voiced concern about Trump’s language and conduct for years.

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

Jan. 22, 2025 -- "I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here.

Reacting to the controversy, the bishop said her message was politicized but it was kind of a given that her message would be politicized, she said. "I think if you read what I said, I mean how could it not be politicized,

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.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and

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 called a bishop who pleaded with him to "have mercy" on migrants and the LGBTQ+ community "nasty" and "not very good at her job."

This is a service for all Americans – regardless of who is sitting in the front row,” a Washington National Cathedral spokesperson said.