The bishop who publicly urged Donald Trump to “have mercy” on immigrants and LGBTQ people – and was dismissed as “a Radical Left hard line Trump hater” by the president – responded with an appearance,

Trump's reaction is another example of his administration being at odds with prominent religious leaders over his stance on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Diocese of Washington, says she will continue to pray for President Donald Trump, hours after he lashed out at her over a sermon.

"Such a profoundly love-centered, bold appeal to his humanity and on behalf of humanity." —Bernice King, daughter of MLK Jr.

While Trump is a dominant political force among evangelical and conservative Christians, he has faced criticism from the Pope, the former Archbishop of Canterbury in the U.K. and progressive mainline protestants in the U.S over a range of issues.

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and their families were in attendance at the prayer service on Tuesday.

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,

President Donald Trump took a jab at Bishop Mariann Budde for her sermon at the National Prayer Service after Inauguration Day, when she called on him to show 'mercy' to immigrants and LGBTQ+ people

In her sermon, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington was openly critical of the president.

Donald Trump criticised National Cathedral Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for her remarks during the inaugural prayer service, calling her sermon nasty and uninspiring.

Trump has claimed for years that he would free the men and women who rioted through Congress in 2021, forcing the legislature to delay the certification of the presidential election results. In an interview with NBC News’s Meet the Press in December, the MAGA leader said he would act “very quickly” to release the January 6 defendants.