Bishop asks Trump to ‘have mercy’ on immigrants, gay children

A traditional prayer service attended by Donald Trump at Washington National Cathedral to mark the start of his second term took an unexpected turn as Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a sermon urging the President to show compassion for LGBTQ children and undocumented immigrants—two groups affected by his recent executive orders.

Addressing the congregation, Budde softly implored, "I ask you to have mercy, Mr President," highlighting the "fear" and uncertainty she said were widespread across the country. She emphasised the plight of vulnerable communities, including LGBTQ youth and undocumented workers contributing to the economy in roles such as farming, cleaning, and healthcare.

"There are gay and lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. The people who pick our farms and clean our office buildings, who labour in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals -- they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation," she said.

"The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals," Budde stated, challenging Trump's measures to expel undocumented migrants and limit asylum. She also criticised his order restricting gender recognition to male and female only, excluding transgender identities.

Trump, seated in the front pew, appeared visibly displeased, occasionally looking away during the sermon. His family and Vice President JD Vance mirrored his reaction, seemingly caught off guard by the pointed remarks.

When asked about the service afterwards, Trump dismissed it, saying, "I didn't think it was a good service. They could do much better."

On Wednesday, Trump took to Truth Social to criticise Budde, calling her "nasty" and labelling her sermon "boring and uninspiring." He accused her of being a "radical left Trump hater" and demanded an apology from her and the Episcopal Church.

Budde's remarks came as Trump signed a series of executive orders, including policies to suspend asylum seekers, expel undocumented migrants, and restrict gender identity recognition.
(With inputs from AFP)