WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke out after the Episcopal bishop of Washington directly appealed to him during his inauguration prayer to show mercy to the LGBTQ+ community and immigrant workers living in the United States. He demanded an apology from the bishop. illegally.
The Right Reverend Marian Budde, referring to President Trump’s belief that he was saved from assassination by God, said, “You felt the loving hand of God’s providence. In the name of our God. Please have mercy on the people of this country who are now in fear.”
Watch: A look back at the history of U.S. immigration policy that led to today’s complex system
After returning to the White House, President Trump said, “I didn’t think it was good service,” and “They could do better.” But then he posted on his social media sites overnight, harshly criticizing the “so-called Bishop” as a “radical left hardliner Trump hater.”
“She brought her church into politics in a very disrespectful way. She had a bad tone, she wasn’t persuasive, she wasn’t smart,” Trump, a Republican, said, adding that some immigrants are trying to get to the United States. He added that Budde did not mention that they had come and killed people.
“Aside from her inappropriate comments, that service was very boring and uninspiring. She’s not very good at her job!” Trump said. “She and her church owe the people an apology!”
A spokesperson for the cathedral did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.
The Trump administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and tightening immigration policies.
Services at the Washington National Cathedral focused primarily on national unity. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and their families, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth also attended.
Budde said in his sermon that they “gathered not for political or other agreements, but to pray for unity as a people and nation, seeking a unity that fosters community across diversity and division.” “It was,” he said.
She added: “Unity is not partisan.”
Evangelicals were attending services but not participating in the program
More than a dozen religious leaders from Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu traditions spoke at the interfaith service.
Conspicuously absent from the clergy invited to speak was one conservative evangelical, one of President Trump’s strongest supporters.
Nevertheless, some of those evangelical supporters were in the pews.
Robert Jeffress, a longtime Trump supporter and pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, also attended. Paula White-Cain, televangelist and key spiritual advisor to President Trump during his first term. and Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of Detroit’s 180 Church, who gave an enthusiastic benediction at Monday’s inauguration.
A new type of inaugural prayer meeting
The Washington National Cathedral has hosted 10 official inaugural services for presidents of both major political parties. This tradition dates back to 1933.
The newest service had a different focus than its predecessors. The focus was on the nation, not the new administration, and the plan was drawn up before Election Day.
“We are at a unique time in our nation’s history, and the time has come to approach this differently,” the Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of the Episcopal Cathedral, said in a statement in October. “This will be a service to all Americans, the well-being of our nation, and our democracy.”
The texts and songs were about compassion and solidarity, including a reading of Deuteronomy 10:17-21, which talks about caring for orphans, widows, and all those in need.
Inaugural sermons are often delivered by ministers who are aligned with the incoming administration. In 2021, Reverend William Barber, a progressive leader in the civil rights movement, preached before Democratic President Joe Biden at the cathedral.
Budde, who delivered this year’s sermon, has criticized Trump along with other cathedral leaders, rebuking him for his “racist comments” and endorsing him on January 6, 2021. Trump accused Trump of inciting violence as a mob of protesters tried to storm the U.S. Capitol. To keep him in power.
In 2020, Budde became “outraged” after President Trump appeared outside St. John’s Episcopal Church near the White House. He held up a Bible after the area was cleared of peaceful protesters.
Her sermon to Mr. Trump on Tuesday sparked a lively reaction on social media. Pope Francis biographer Austin Ivery wrote in X that the pope “named the truth” when he spoke with Trump and Vance. “Their expressions of anger and displeasure suggest she succeeded,” Ivery said.
In contrast, Jeffress wrote on X that Budde “did more to insult than encourage our great president” and that “there was a clear revulsion in her audience in her words.”
music made for trump
What appeared to be a nod to President Trump at Tuesday’s service was the participation of opera singer Christopher Macchio, who also sang the national anthem at the inauguration.
The tenor sang “Ave Maria,” a favorite of President Trump’s and Macchio, who performed it at Trump rallies and the Republican National Convention.
Before the service began, Macchio played hymns such as “How Great Thou Art” and another favorite of President Trump, “Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen.
As the prayer service drew to a close, President Trump joined others in singing “America the Beautiful.”
Trump also thanked the many clergy members who joined him in passing him (with the exception of Budde, who he did not acknowledge).
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