During the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance appeared visibly frustrated when the sermon, delivered by Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, took a political turn. Budde, a vocal critic of Trump and the U.S.
government following the death of George Floyd, began her address with a plea for unity but quickly shifted her message to immigration and LGBTQ rights, topics that clearly seemed to irk the attendees.
Budde spoke directly to Trump, urging him to have “mercy on the people in our country who are scared,” particularly highlighting concerns over LGBTQ children and immigrants, some of whom lack documentation.
“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” she said, noting their contributions to society, from laboring in farms to working in hospitals. She also called on Trump to show compassion toward those fleeing persecution, emphasizing the religious principle of mercy for strangers.
