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.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration Tuesday, which went viral and prompted the president to call her “nasty in tone” and “not compelling or smart.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde instantly became a topic of national conversation after issuing a heartfelt plea directly to President Donald Trump during a sermon one day after inauguration day. Here’s what to know about the Episcopalian Bishop, the prayer service, and the reaction.

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,

“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.... She and her church owe the public an apology!”

The Alabama senator insisted it was Rev. Mariann Budde who was the one “spewing hate.”

President Trump early Wednesday morning slammed the reverend at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration who called on him to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant

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

A day after Trump was forced to grimly endure the tough-talking service by Bishop Mariann Budde, the president derided the prelate as a “so-called bishop” and worse.

President Donald Trump, from left, watches as Rev. Mariann Budde arrives at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) President Donald Trump,

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump demanded an apology Wednesday from Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde who pleaded for “mercy” from the president during her national prayer service sermon at the National Cathedral.