The Episcopal bishop of Washington spoke with NPR to discuss her sermon addressing President Trump and why she asked him to have mercy.

Budde said she regrets the angry reactions to her pointed request for Trump to show mercy, but added that she stands by her remarks.

President Donald Trump, left, watches as Rev. Mariann Budde, second right, arrives at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump,

Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, is a prominent religious leader who advocates for social justice issues, including immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

Bishop Mariann E. Budde, of the Episcopal Church, pleaded to Donald Trump to have "mercy" on immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde drew President Trump’s ire Wednesday morning after she used a National Catheral prayer service to issue a call for mercy against members of the LGBTQ and immigrant communities.

President Donald Trump Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop who criticized his hardline policies on immigration and LGBTQ rights at the National Prayer Service on his first full day back in the White House.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an apology from Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde after she made a direct appeal to him for “mercy” toward LGBT-identified Americans and illegal immigrants during an inaugural prayer service.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves,” says a passage from the Bible. These words were written thousands of years ago but are applicable today.

Readers respond to the Right Rev. Mariann Budde’s message to President Donald Trump at Washington National Cathedral. Regarding the Jan. 22 Metro article “ At National Prayer Service, a plea to Trump: ‘Have mercy’ ”:

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