‘Have mercy’: Reverend’s direct plea to Trump on migrants, gender

Source: C-Span
The Episcopal bishop of Washington has appealed directly to US President Donald Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQI community and undocumented migrant workers.
The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, directed her remarks to the new President during the inaugural prayer service at The Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday (local time), referencing Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination.
“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,” she said.
Trump, who was accompanied by his wife and extended family, as well as Vice-President JD Vance and his wife, sat stoney-faced for much of the service.
“There are gay, lesbian, transgender children, Democratic, Republican, independent families — some who fear for their lives,” Budde said.
“The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking 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, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”
Budde said the workers paid taxes and were “faithful members” of U.S. churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. She said their children “fear their parents are going to be taken away, and also called on Trump to help people fleeing war zones and persecution.
His administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and toughening immigration policies, saying “criminal aliens” would be deported.
When he returned to the White House after the service, Trump was asked about the sermon.
“Not too exciting, was it?” he said as he walked with staff toward the Oval Office.
“I didn’t think it was a good service. They could do much better.”
In her sermon, Budde said they gathered “to pray for unity as a people and a nation – not for agreement, political or otherwise – but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division”.
“Unity is not partisan,” she said.
More than a dozen religious leaders spoke during the interfaith service, including those from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
Notably absent from the invited clergy with speaking roles were conservative evangelicals, who are among Trump’s strongest supporters. They were among the congregation.

Trump outside St John’s Church in 2020. Photo: AAP
The Washington National Cathedral has hosted 10 official inaugural prayer services for presidents of both parties. The tradition dates back to 1933.
Budde has joined other cathedral leaders in criticising Trump previously, rebuking his “racialised rhetoric” and blaming him for inciting violence on January 6, 2021.
Budde was “outraged” in 2020 after Trump staged an appearance in front of St John’s Episcopal Church, near the White House. He held up a Bible after the area had been cleared of peaceful protesters.
-with AAP