President Donald Trump criticized Bishop Mariann Budde after her remarks during the National Prayer Service on Tuesday, calling her a “radical left, hard-line Trump hater.”

The bishop’s sermon, which addressed issues like immigration and the LGBTQ community, sparked controversy, leading to a sharp response from the president on his Truth Social platform.

In a late-night post, Trump expressed frustration with Budde’s comments, accusing her of politicizing the prayer service.

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“She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way,” Trump wrote.

“She was nasty in tone and not compelling or smart.”

Trump also criticized Budde’s focus on immigrants without legal status, pointing out her failure to address the victims of crimes committed by some illegal immigrants.

“For all of Budde’s bluster about sympathy for illegals, she did not make mention of the many American victims of illegal alien crime, particularly those who have been murdered by individuals pouring over the southern border,” he stated.

The president called for an apology, though he acknowledged it was unlikely to come.

“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one,” Trump added.

“She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology.”

Budde’s sermon included references to marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community and undocumented immigrants.

“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” she said.

“There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children and Democratic, Independent, and Republican families, some who fear for their lives.”

Budde also mentioned undocumented workers, saying, “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat-packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants, they, they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She’s the first woman to hold the position.

She was given a great honor today, a chance to unify America around a Christian message at the dawn of a new administration. Instead, she disgraced… pic.twitter.com/IFA6a3nZno

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 21, 2025

Budde’s remarks were met with criticism from Trump supporters, who argued that her comments downplayed the legal and societal consequences of illegal immigration.

Trump highlighted this point in his Truth Social post, referencing the inherent illegality of entering the country without documentation.

Following her sermon, Budde appeared on CNN with Erin Burnett, where she elaborated on her remarks and admitted she had directed her comments at the president.

“I was looking at the president because I was speaking directly to him,” Budde said.

“I wanted to say, you know, there is room for mercy, there’s room for a broader compassion.”

Bishop Mariann Budde goes on CNN to explain why she humiliated herself in church today with her woke propaganda to attack President Trump.

Budde was brainwashed by legacy media and then ran to legacy media where they placated her.

It’s a vicious cycle.pic.twitter.com/X98VtuKEKp

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 22, 2025

Budde’s comments and subsequent media appearance have been criticized as overtly political, with critics accusing her of using the prayer service as a platform to oppose Trump’s policies.

The president and his supporters have argued that such statements are inappropriate for a religious leader, particularly in a non-partisan setting like the National Prayer Service.

Trump’s sharp response underscores his ongoing focus on immigration enforcement and his criticism of left-leaning religious figures who challenge his policies.

The exchange highlights the broader cultural and political divide over issues like immigration and LGBTQ rights, which continue to spark heated debates in the public sphere.

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