Bishop Asks Trump To ‘Have Mercy’ On Immigrants And Gay Children

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde was nearing the end of his inauguration sermon on Tuesday when he took a breath and looked directly at President Donald J. Trump.

“I am asking you to have mercy on the people of our country who are afraid today,” said Bishop Budde, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some fearing for their lives.”

It was a special moment to call Mr. Trump directly, at the start of his first full day in office. Twenty-four hours after storming the highest office in the land, subpoenaing tech billionaires as witnesses and removing a show of authority by signing an executive order, he was suddenly faced with an extraordinary move. he is in public opposition. unlikely source: soft bishop.

“Most immigrants are not criminals,” Bishop Budde said. “I am asking you, Mr. President, to have mercy on those in our society who fear that their children will be taken away from their parents, and to help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in his country to find mercy and be welcomed here. .”

Mr. Trump, sitting in the front row of pews in the majestic Washington National Cathedral, looked down and then left. Vice President JD Vance raised his eyebrows and glanced several times at his wife, Usha Vance, who had been training the bishop. After Bishop Budde finished, Mr. Trump said something to Mr. Vance, who shook his head in frustration. Members of the Trump family seated directly behind them appeared to be looking at each other, confused. Eric Trump, Mr. Trump’s son, shook his head.

That was not the way Mr. Trump generally spoke when he returned to the White House. Since winning the election, he has joined hands with powerful business leaders and politicians, including many who shunned him during his first term. The day before, he celebrated his return to office with an inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda, a rally surrounded by supporters and an inaugural ball. Even former president Joseph R. Biden Jr. even greeted Trump at the White House by saying, “Welcome home.”

Bishop Budde’s comments came a day after Mr. Trump issued an executive order focused on transgender rights and immigration.

The pastor’s appeal clearly caught Mr. Trump’s attention. Asked by a reporter what he thought of the service, the president said: “Do you like it? Do you find it exciting? Not very exciting, right?

“I didn’t think it was good service, no,” Mr. Trump continued. “They can do better.”

In an interview, Bishop Budde said he decided to speak directly to the president because of “the fear that I see and experience among our people — people I know and love, and in the immigrant community.” living in or in the LGBTQ community, and many are very scared”.

He said he was concerned about “the level of license to be cruel” that some people now feel.

“I didn’t have to call the president. I tried to say, ‘The country entrusted you,’” Bishop Budde said. “And mercy is one of the qualities of a leader, isn’t it? Mercy. And beware of fearful people. “

Bishop Budde is not the only prominent member of the clergy to draw attention to the fears raised by Mr. Trump’s agenda. Pope Francis on Sunday called Mr Trump’s plan for mass deportations a “disgrace”.

Mr. Trump began his presidency on Monday with executive actions aimed at turning his campaign rhetoric into concrete policy, including one that rescinded an executive order from the Biden administration that seeks to prevent discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Mr. Trump’s new order, the administration said, aims to protect women from “gender ideological extremism” that allows biological men to undermine their rights and privacy. And the definition he puts forward goes a long way toward a more precise definition of “sex.”

According to the order Mr. Trump signed on Monday, gender will be determined by “emotions,” the article said. A person who eventually produces the “major reproductive cells” will be considered a female, the order said. A man can be defined as the person who finally “produces the reproductive cells”.

The order also states that the federal government will no longer recognize “gender identity,” and only “sex” as defined by a person’s “immutable biological classification.” male or female.”

The order also prohibits the use of federal funds to promote “gender awareness” through grants or other government programs, as well as the use of funds to of transitional care in prison.

The order effectively defines transgender Americans who no longer exist.

“At its core, this executive order is a terrible attempt to alienate transgender people from the law and push them back into the closet,” said Sarah Warbelow, legal director at Human Rights Campaign.

Mr. Trump also issued several immigration-related executive orders on Monday that halted refugee admissions, tightened asylum for immigrants and made clear he intended to deploy the military there. he is on the southern border. The border, however, remains relatively calm after a record number of illegal crossings early in the Biden administration.

The Trump administration also rescinded Biden’s policy that ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents not to make arrests in schools, places of worship and other places it described as “sensitive locations.”

During his campaign, and during his first term, Mr. Trump often portrayed all immigrants who cross the border illegally as criminals. Although a spate of crimes committed by immigrants has drawn national attention in recent years, only national security officials acknowledge that most people crossing the border are fleeing poverty. or violence and looking for a better life.

“There are times when we talk about immigrants in broad lines who feel that the image that is presented is dangerous to all immigrants who come to this country,” said Bishop Budde. “And I know that’s not true. That is not true.”