President Donald Trump had a curt response to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde following her pleas to “have mercy” on those who “fear for their lives” during a sermon that he attended at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Budde turned to a stern looking Trump—who was flanked by Melania, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, son Eric Trump, Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha—and urged the president to show leniency “in the name of our God.” She added, “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives.” Addressing his mass deportation plans, Budde also pleaded with him that “the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.” When asked what he thought of the sermon by the press, Trump said he “didn’t think it was a good service.” He added, “They could do much better.” On the first day of his presidency, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders that included declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico and ordering that the federal government only recognize two genders.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors…may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away." pic.twitter.com/iXaHJrPsof
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025
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