During an interfaith prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde lectured President Donald Trump, urging him to be more compassionate towards immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. She criticized Trump’s policies and appealed to him to “have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.” Budde’s message seemed to highlight the fear and uncertainty many Americans were feeling under his leadership. She also warned that the current world order was changing, stating, “the world order as we know it is now over” and mentioned that people’s hopes and dreams could be at risk due to the new presidency.
As Budde spoke, Trump’s family seemed visibly surprised by her remarks. Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman reported that Tiffany Trump asked her husband, Michael Boulos, “Can you believe it?” Tiffany seemed unsettled by the situation, calling it “crazy,” and later added “Good and evil.” When Budde mentioned the possibility of regrettable actions, Trump reportedly turned to his wife, Melania, and asked, “Can you believe it?” Melania smiled in response.
Budde’s speech also acknowledged the hard work of migrants, particularly those in jobs like restaurant cleaning and farm labor, saying that many are not criminals, even if they lack proper documentation. She urged President Trump to show compassion for those who are living in fear, especially children whose parents could be taken away. She called for mercy on those fleeing warzones and persecution.
Trump, however, responded angrily on social media, calling Budde a “Radical Left” critic who “brought her church into politics in a very ungracious way.” He criticized her tone as “nasty” and claimed she was not intelligent or persuasive. He also accused her of ignoring the issue of illegal immigration and its association with crime, arguing that many illegal migrants had come from jails and mental institutions. He concluded by describing the service as “boring and uninspiring,” and he stated that Budde and her church owed the public an apology.
Body language expert Judi James noted that Trump’s family showed signs of discomfort during the event. She observed that while some family members remained stoic, others seemed more aware of the tension, particularly Tiffany, who seemed embarrassed, and Lara, who appeared politically alert.
