In this Article:

  • What did Bishop Budde say to Trump during her sermon?
  • How does the Gospel challenge Trump’s policies on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights?
  • Why did Trump call the sermon “boring and uninspiring”?
  • What is the moral message behind Bishop Budde’s plea for compassion?
  • How can the Gospel’s teachings guide us in divisive times?

Trump Faces Moral Reckoning in National Cathedral Sermon

by Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com

The Gospel According to Bishop Budde: A Lesson Trump Would Rather Forget

On a cold January morning in Washington, D.C., something remarkable happened inside the hallowed halls of the National Cathedral. President Donald Trump, seated in the front row with his family and Vice President J.D. Vance, received a sermon straight from the Gospels—a message he most certainly did not want to hear. Delivered by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the sermon was a call to remember the most basic tenets of Christian faith: love, compassion, and mercy.

For those who tuned in to watch the Service of Prayer for the Nation, it was a moment of striking contrast. On one side of the stage, Bishop Budde stood robed in white and red, delivering a heartfelt plea that echoed the Sermon on the Mount. On the other side, the president sat stone-faced, a man whose policies had just upended the lives of countless immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and asylum seekers. It was a tableau of moral reckoning, a visual reminder of the vast chasm between the words of Christ and the actions of those in power.

The Courage to Speak The Truth

Bishop Budde’s sermon didn’t pull any punches. In her 15-minute address, she directly confronted the president, imploring him to show mercy to the vulnerable and marginalized. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” she began, her voice steady but charged with emotion. “Millions have put their trust in you. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”


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She went on to name those fears explicitly: LGBTQ+ children frightened by anti-trans policies, immigrant families living in constant dread of deportation, and refugees fleeing war zones who face a wall instead of welcome. Her words were not just a rebuke of Trump’s latest slate of executive orders; they were a rebuke of the entire ethos of exclusion and fear that has defined his presidency. Budde spoke not as a politician but as a shepherd, reminding the president—and by extension, all of us—of the moral obligations we owe to one another.

The Gospel’s Challenge to Power

It’s easy to forget just how radical the teachings of Jesus were—and still are. Love your enemies. Turn the other cheek. Welcome the stranger. These are not the words of a leader obsessed with dominance or the preservation of power. They are the words of someone who understood that true strength comes from humility and compassion.

Bishop Budde’s sermon was a masterclass in wielding that radical love as a tool of accountability. Her message wasn’t just for Trump; it was for anyone who has ever looked the other way in the face of injustice. “The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat-packing plants… they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation,” she said. “But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”

It’s a simple truth, but one that often gets lost in the noise of political rhetoric. Budde reminded us that our worth as human beings isn’t determined by citizenship papers or economic status—it’s inherent, divinely given, and non-negotiable. And that’s precisely what makes her message so threatening to those who cling to power through division.

Trump’s Response: A Missed Opportunity

Predictably, Trump was not moved. Hours after the service, he dismissed it as “very boring and uninspiring” and labeled Budde a “Radical Left hard-line Trump hater.” It was a missed opportunity, to say the least. Here was a chance to show even a glimmer of humility, to acknowledge the fears and struggles of millions of Americans. Instead, he doubled down on the same combative rhetoric that has defined his political career.

But perhaps that’s the point. Compassion and humility don’t win elections in an era where political survival depends on stoking fear and outrage. Trump’s presidency—and his continued popularity among certain segments of the population—has thrived on the very divisions that Bishop Budde sought to heal. Her plea for mercy was not just ignored; it was ridiculed, a stark reminder of how far we’ve drifted from the principles we claim to hold dear.

What Does It Mean to Follow the Gospel?

So where does this leave us? As citizens, as people of faith, as human beings, how do we reconcile the moral clarity of the Gospel with the murky realities of modern politics? Bishop Budde’s sermon offers a roadmap. It starts with speaking truth to power, even when it’s uncomfortable. It means rejecting the false dichotomy of “us vs. them” and embracing the radical idea that we are all interconnected.

But it also requires action. It’s not enough to nod along with sermons like Budde’s and then return to business as usual. If we truly believe in the values of love, compassion, and justice, we have to embody them in our daily lives. That might mean standing up for a coworker who’s being marginalized, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply refusing to participate in the cycle of hatred and fear that dominates so much of our discourse.

The Role of Faith in Divisive Times

In times of division, faith can be a powerful unifying force—but only if it’s rooted in love. Too often, religion is weaponized to justify exclusion or reinforce hierarchies. Bishop Budde’s sermon was a reminder that true faith does the opposite. It challenges us to tear down walls, not build them. It calls us to see the divine in every person, regardless of race, nationality, or political affiliation.

“Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land,” Budde said in her closing remarks. It’s a sentiment that resonates far beyond the walls of the National Cathedral. Whether or not you consider yourself religious, the underlying message is universal: We are all responsible for one another. And in a world that often feels hopelessly divided, that responsibility is more urgent than ever.

A Moment of Reckoning

Bishop Budde’s sermon will likely be remembered as one of the defining moments of this fraught political era. It was a rare instance of moral leadership cutting through the noise, a moment when the Gospel’s timeless message was brought to bear on the challenges of the present. Whether or not it changes hearts or minds remains to be seen. But if nothing else, it serves as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

As we navigate the turbulent days ahead, let’s take a page from Bishop Budde’s playbook. Let’s speak truth to power, even when it’s uncomfortable. Let’s extend mercy, even to those who seem undeserving. And above all, let’s remember that love—not fear—is what truly makes us strong.

About the Author

jenningsRobert Jennings is the co-publisher of InnerSelf.com, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering a more connected, equitable world. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, Robert draws on his diverse life experiences, from working in real estate and construction to building InnerSelf.com with his wife, Marie T. Russell, to bring a practical, grounded perspective to life’s challenges. Founded in 1996, InnerSelf.com shares insights to help people make informed, meaningful choices for themselves and the planet. More than 30 years later, InnerSelf continues to inspire clarity and empowerment.

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This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License. Attribute the author Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com. Link back to the article This article originally appeared on InnerSelf.com

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Article Recap:

Bishop Mariann Budde confronted President Trump during a prayer service at the National Cathedral, delivering a sermon rooted in Gospel teachings. She challenged his policies on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, calling for compassion and moral leadership. Trump dismissed the sermon as “boring,” but it remains a powerful reminder of the Gospel’s call to love and mercy, standing in stark contrast to divisive rhetoric and policies.

#BishopConfrontsTrump #TrumpSermonResponse #NationalCathedral #GospelMessage #LGBTQRights #ImmigrationPolicy #MoralLeadership #BishopBudde #FaithAndPolitics #CompassionOverDivision