"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.
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):
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde pleads to President Donald Trump to have mercy amid LGBTQ+ and immigration policies.pic.twitter.com/rNmpjmnd50
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 21, 2025
CSPAN / Twitter: @PopCrave
"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."
"There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families," she continued. "Some, who fear for their lives."
"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."
Here's Trump, who appears visibly uncomfortable:
And JD Vance who appears visibly annoyed:
"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."
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."
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:
"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.
Such a profoundly love-centered, bold appeal to his humanity and on behalf of humanity. https://t.co/M4flrGupIg
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 21, 2025
CSPAN Twitter: @BerniceKing
"This woman is braver than the entire Democratic Party and MSM combined," this user agreed.
This woman is braver than the entire Democratic Party and MSM combined. https://t.co/tynDIXV0pL
— Sarah Ironside 💙 (@SarahIronside6) January 21, 2025
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.
watching all of them squirm in their seats is very satisfying. this was extremely badass and immaculately delivered https://t.co/apHC0PaBTs
— matt (@mattxiv) January 21, 2025
CSPAN Twitter: @mattxiv
"they immediately looked uncomfortable because they know deep down what they are doing is wrong and just hateful," this user pointed out.
they immediately looked uncomfortable because they know deep down what they are doing is wrong and just hateful
— Vix 🎸 (@skinnyforlunch) January 21, 2025
CSPAN Twitter: @skinnyforlunch
"Usha Vance appears to be the only one in the camera shot who might agree with her, unfortunately," another user observed.
Usha Vance appears to be the only one in the camera shot who might agree with her, unfortunately. https://t.co/kyjqiGkEwj
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) January 21, 2025
CSPAN Twitter: @ChrisDJackson
"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.
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. I don’t know this servant of God… but I know that she has a relationship with the True Word…… https://t.co/1SVZi0JMdB
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) January 22, 2025
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.
This woman should never step foot in the National Cathedral again — in any capacity.The audacity to pull something like this… pic.twitter.com/yaDgI52Jng
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 21, 2025
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."
The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list. pic.twitter.com/d7a2z1CM6s
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) January 21, 2025
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.
What are your thoughts on the Bishop's statements? Let us know in the comments below.