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.

Bishop Budde locked eyes with President Trump and made a plea for mercy — and the war over spiritual authority in America was ignited anew.

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,

The Episcopal bishop of Washington spoke with NPR to discuss her sermon addressing President Trump and why she asked him to have mercy.

Several faith leaders have spoken out after Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde confronted President Trump in her sermon during the inaugural prayer service.

MAGA faithful have overwhelmed Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s church’s Facebook page by leaving over 100 negative reviews in the last 24 hours

She also addressed Trump directly while he sat with his wife and the newly appointed vice president, wearing a red tie in the pew next to them.

Bishop Budde, at the inaugural service, had directly appealed to US President Donald Trump to ‘have mercy’ on the LGBTQ community and migrant workers.

Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, a bishop at Washington National Cathedral, made a plea to President Donald Trump during her sermon on Tuesday.

"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 his Truth Social account on Wednesday.

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