Who Is Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop Who Urged Trump to Show Compassion?
As President Donald Trump began his second term as the 47th President of the United States, his inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral took a poignant turn. Episcopal Bishop of Washington Mariann Edgar Budde addressed the president with a heartfelt plea, urging him to extend compassion to marginalized groups. Her message emphasized the fears of gay, lesbian, and transgender children, as well as undocumented immigrants, who feel vulnerable under the administration's policies. "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," she implored, highlighting the struggles faced by communities on both sides of the political spectrum.
Trump, sitting alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance, reportedly dismissed the service as unimpressive, a reaction that underscores the stark contrast between the bishop’s message and the administration’s policy direction. The president wasted no time in rolling out controversial executive orders, including one that rolled back transgender rights and another eliminating birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. unless at least one parent was an American citizen or green card holder.
But who is Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the woman behind this powerful appeal?
Born in New Jersey and raised in Colorado, Bishop Budde’s journey to leadership within the Episcopal Church is marked by dedication to social justice and inclusivity. She graduated with a BA in history from the University of Rochester in New York and later earned both a Master of Divinity degree (1989) and a Doctor of Ministry degree (2008) from Virginia Theological Seminary.
For nearly two decades, she served as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before becoming the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in 2011. This role placed her at the helm of 86 Episcopal congregations and 10 Episcopal schools across the District of Columbia and Maryland. Additionally, she chairs the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which oversees the ministries of the Washington National Cathedral and its schools.
Bishop Budde’s advocacy extends across multiple critical issues. She has consistently spoken out against gun violence, championed racial equality, pushed for immigration reform, and supported the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in society. She is also a vocal advocate for environmental conservation, reflecting a holistic approach to her ministry.
In her personal life, she is married to Paul, and together they have two sons and grandchildren.
This is not the first time Bishop Budde has confronted President Trump. In 2020, during his first term, she publicly criticized his use of the Bible as a political prop outside St. John’s Church after racial justice protesters were forcibly removed from Lafayette Square. In a widely-read op-ed for The New York Times, she condemned the president’s actions, accusing him of misusing sacred symbols to promote views antithetical to the teachings of the Bible.
Bishop Budde’s unwavering commitment to justice and compassion makes her a prominent voice of conscience during Trump’s presidency. Her latest appeal for mercy and understanding serves as a reminder of the moral challenges facing leaders in power. As the Trump administration continues to implement its policies, voices like Bishop Budde’s remain critical in advocating for vulnerable communities and upholding the values of empathy and inclusivity.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com