Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde isn’t afraid to speak truth to power. Unlike almost everyone else in President Donald Trump’s orbit these days. And she has no plans to apologize for asking Trump to show mercy on the people he has terrorized in his first days back in power.

Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, is a prominent religious leader who advocates for social justice issues, including immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

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

Budde said she regrets the angry reactions to her pointed request for Trump to show mercy, but added that she stands by her remarks.

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

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

President Donald Trump Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop who criticized his hardline policies on immigration and LGBTQ rights at the National Prayer Service on his first full day back in the White House.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an apology from Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde after she made a direct appeal to him for mercy toward LGBT-identified Americans and illegal

The first female bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington provoked President Donald Trump’s anger January 22, after calling on the president to show “mercy” toward immigrants and LGBT people.

The people who are in danger are the people who fear for their lives and their livelihoods,’ Budde said in an interview. ‘That’s where the focus should be.’

Trump remained expressionless in the front row, sitting next to First Lady Melania Trump, as Budde told him that illegal immigrants were "not criminals"