"This Woman Is Braver Than The Entire Democrat Party": This Clip Of A Bishop Asking Trump To Have Mercy On LGBTQ+ People And Immigrants Is Going Viral

As of this week, we're officially living under a second Trump administration, and the chaos has already commenced with Trump's mass executive order signings that are already impacting marginalized communities.

Well, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde — a leader of the Episcopal Church — has decided to speak up, and has gone viral for her direct confrontation with Donald Trump during the National Prayer Service.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde holding a staff speaks with Trump
Chip Somodelvilla / Getty Images

During the service, the Bishop directly asked Trump to "have mercy" on immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals who "fear for their lives" as he enters his next administration. Here's the full clip (trust me, it's worth the watch):

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"Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you. As you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you, to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now."

A person in clerical attire speaks at a podium adorned with white and red flowers inside a large church. The C-SPAN logo is in the corner
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

"There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families," she continued. "Some, who fear for their lives."

Trump and J.D. Vance, along with their spouses, in formal attire, seated
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

"And the people — the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes...they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but a vast majority of immigrants are not criminals."

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at a podium adorned with flowers, inside a large, cathedral
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

Here's Trump, who appears visibly uncomfortable:

  CSPAN / Via youtube.com
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

And JD Vance who appears visibly annoyed:

  CSPAN / Via youtube.com
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

"I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away... Our God teaches us, that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land."

  CSPAN / Via youtube.com
CSPAN / Via youtube.com

After the service, President Trump was asked by the press about his thoughts. "Not too exciting, was it. I didn't think it was a good service. No... They can do much better."

  CSPAN / Via x.com

The clip of the Bishop has now gone viral, receiving over 30 million views, and a wide range of reactions, with many people praising the Bishop's statements:

Comments on a social media post discussing a woman's action, expressing admiration, approval, and some criticism
@nbcnews via TikTok / Via tiktok.com

"Such a profoundly love-centered, bold appeal to his humanity and on behalf of humanity," Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. wrote.

CSPAN Twitter: @BerniceKing

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"This woman is braver than the entire Democratic Party and MSM combined," this user agreed.

CSPAN Twitter: @SarahIronside6

Other users pointed out how uncomfortable Trump, JD Vance, and their families looked while the Bishop spoke: "watching all of them squirm in their seats is very satisfying. this was extremely badass and immaculately delivered," another user wrote.

CSPAN Twitter: @mattxiv

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"they immediately looked uncomfortable because they know deep down what they are doing is wrong and just hateful," this user pointed out.

CSPAN Twitter: @skinnyforlunch

"Usha Vance appears to be the only one in the camera shot who might agree with her, unfortunately," another user observed.

CSPAN Twitter: @ChrisDJackson

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"This is how you know Trump has only attended churches where they try to co-opt Christianity! He got slapped with some basic teachings of Christianity & didn’t know how to take it," Representative Jasmine Crockett wrote.

CSPAN Twitter: @JasmineForUS

"I don’t know this servant of God… but I know that she has a relationship with the True Word… which teaches love, compassion, & mercy. Just like he didn’t take his oath on the Bible… I’m doubtful he’s ever even bothered to open one of his grifter bibles."

Opposingly, many MAGA supporters have condemned the Bishop: "This woman should never step foot in the National Cathedral again — in any capacity. The audacity to pull something like this…" one Trump supporter wrote.

CSPAN Twitter: @_johnnymaga

GOP lawmaker Mike Collins took it a step further, writing: "The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list."

CSPAN Twitter: @RepMikeCollins

Later on, Trump also took to Truth Social, calling the Bishop a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater," "not compelling," or "smart" and demanded her church apologize for her statements.

Summary of a social media post criticizing a speaker at a National Prayer Service, alleging bias, and demanding a public apology
@realDonaldTrump via Truth Social

What are your thoughts on the Bishop's statements? Let us know in the comments below.