(WiredJA) -The Episcopal Church forcefully rejected President Trump’s demand for an apology on Saturday delivering a blistering point-by-point rebuttal that cited scripture and challenged the president’s own relationship with the church.
The extraordinary exchange comes just hours after Trump’s second inauguration, where Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s plea for mercy toward immigrants and LGBTQ+ people sparked presidential outrage.
Bishop Budde’s measured appeal during the service — “You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now” — drew swift condemnation from the president.
In an overnight post on Truth Social, Trump branded Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and criticized her sermon as “nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.” He particularly objected to her not mentioning crimes committed by some immigrants, calling the entire service “boring and uninspiring” before demanding a public apology from both the bishop and her church.
The Episcopal Church’s response was unsparing, pointing out Trump’s own deep connections to the denomination, including his third wedding, his son Barron’s baptism, and the recent funeral of Melania’s mother.
The church systematically dismantled Trump’s criticisms, noting that Budde’s legitimacy as bishop was established through proper church procedure and challenging his characterization of her tone as “nasty.”
Particularly pointed was the church’s scriptural defense of showing mercy to immigrants, citing Matthew 5:7 and Leviticus 19:33-34. The response suggested that Trump’s strong reaction might reflect what churchgoers call “being convicted of your sin,” adding that “the fact you are so offended by what was said shows you know there is truth in it.”
The confrontation underscores an immediate and sharp division between religious leadership and the new administration, with the Episcopal Church standing firm on its moral authority to speak truth to power, even at an inauguration service.
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The Episcopalian Church’s response to Trump’s apology demand
President Trump,
1. Much like those who do not want you to be president, you do not get to decide whether a bishop’s office is legitimate. She was chosen by the people of her diocese to be their bishop. Then, she was granted consent to be a bishop by other bishops and standing committees of our church’s dioceses.
Beginning by calling her a “so-called” bishop is an obvious low blow to discredit her as a person, rather than what she actually said that you disagree with. The Episcopal Church was legitimate enough to hold your third wedding, the funeral of Melania’s mother, and the baptism of your son, Barron. Barron also attended an Episcopal day school. Now you have an issue with how we do things when it doesn’t go your way?
2. You didn’t have an issue with politics being brought into the church by the ministers who spoke at your inauguration, or by yourself for that matter. They were blatantly partisan, crediting God for your political success: “Mr. President, the last four years there were times I’m sure you thought it was pretty dark, but look what God has done,” Graham said.
3. She wasn’t nasty in tone, plain and simple. I can’t remember ever hearing a homily given in such a gracious manner and calm tone. If you disagree, listen to her speak. You may disagree with what she said, but her tone was in no way “nasty.” Additionally, insulting her intelligence, rather than quoting what you disagreed with, is a very typical play coming from a narcissist.
4. The vast majority of people who have committed crimes in the U.S. are U.S. citizens. Defending yourself about being asked to have mercy on immigrants by saying a “large number of illegal migrants came into our country and killed people” is a gross misrepresentation and does not make sense. By that logic, we should be locking up or deporting all Americans because the majority of crimes were committed by citizens.
We do need to improve our immigration system, but scripture commands us as Christians to have mercy. Mercy is a central tenet of our faith. Matthew 5:7 says “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Leviticus 19: 33-34 says, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.
The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” If you have a take issue with this, take it up with God.
5. Saying the service was boring and uninspiring is a move to discredit the event, rather than what specifically was said. However, it’s worth mentioning that the purpose of a service is not to be “exciting”.
There are several purposes for our services, such as honoring God, bringing us closer to God, and being in community with one another. Being “exciting” is not one of them. As far as inspiration goes, that is in the eye of the beholder. You get as much out of it as you put into it.
6. The bishop does not owe you an apology. Our church does not owe you an apology. All you were asked to do is what scripture directly asks us to do. If you could quote one thing she asked of you that isn’t asked of us in scripture, we would apologize.
Someone recently reminded me of something I often heard growing up in church. If you are offended by a minister’s sermon or feel that it was a personal attack, look to see if you can find anything they said that was out of line with scripture and the teachings of Jesus.
If you can’t, that feeling is what we call, “being convicted of your sin”. The fact you are so offended by what was said shows you know there is truth in it. To your supporters who also feel offended by it, the same goes.
