A heartfelt plea from an Episcopal bishop to then-President Donald Trump has sparked a fierce backlash from his supporters, following a national prayer service held shortly after Trump's inauguration.
On Monday, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., delivered a prayer calling on Trump to show compassion to various vulnerable communities, including undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ+ children. Budde's appeal, made in the name of God, asked the newly inaugurated president to "have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now."
Outrage from Trump's Allies
Bishop Budde's prayer did not sit well with Trump and his supporters. The former president reacted strongly, posting on his social media platform, Truth Social. He labeled Budde a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater," criticizing her tone and ignoring what he claimed were pressing issues like crime associated with illegal immigration.
Trump's post unleashed a wave of animosity from conservative commentators and media figures, many of whom launched personal attacks on Bishop Budde. During an appearance on "The Rachel Maddow Show," Budde revealed that she had received messages that verged on death threats. "I've had people wish me dead," she shared, expressing concern over the hostile reaction.
Conservative Media Pile-On
Prominent right-wing figures amplified the backlash. Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire accused Budde of "emotional blackmail" and "blasphemy," mocking her plea for compassion for transgender children. Walsh's comments extended to an attack on women in religious leadership, questioning Budde's role as a bishop.
Meanwhile, Calvin Robinson, a conservative commentator, criticized Budde's presence in the pulpit. He claimed she was violating church law and accused her of promoting "leftist, radicalist, extremist politics." Robinson also twisted biblical scripture to criticize Budde's public prayer.
Michael Knowles, another commentator from The Wire, disparaged Budde's role as a bishop, dismissing her efforts and sermon as "heretical." The rhetoric escalated with Fox host Jesse Watters and podcaster Steven Crowder, who both used derogatory terms to describe Budde's message and appearance.
Continued Hostility
Trump's evangelical supporter, Franklin Graham, accused Budde of harboring a "socialist LGBTQ+ agenda" and misleading the public. Graham defended Trump, insisting that the former president was not intentionally deceptive, unlike Budde, whom he accused of misleading people.
Adding to the hostile narrative, White nationalist podcaster Stew Peters made derogatory comments about the Episcopal Church's acceptance of female bishops.
In the face of this onslaught, Budde's message was hailed by some as a courageous example of "speaking truth to power," as Maddow described it during her interview with the bishop. Despite the vitriol, Budde's call for empathy and understanding continues to resonate with those advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups.
As tensions remain high, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by religious leaders advocating for inclusivity and compassion in a polarized political landscape.
Conclusion
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's experience highlights the intense backlash faced by those who advocate for marginalized communities in today's political climate. Despite the personal attacks, her message of compassion and mercy remains an important reminder of the need for empathy and understanding.
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