The Episcopal bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who urged the new President of the United States, Donald Trump, from the pulpit to have compassion for migrants and transgender children, reaffirmed her words in several interviews and stated that she does not plan to apologize as requested by the president.
'When you decided to plead (for compassion) with the president, I thought they would take it differently,' she said, 'because it was an acknowledgment of his position, his current power, and the millions of people who put him there,' said the bishop in statements reported by that outlet. Budde officiated the religious ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, which marked the beginning of President Trump's agenda on Tuesday, after he took office on Monday the 20th.
At one point, looking at Trump, who is Presbyterian, another Protestant church, she told him, 'Millions of people have placed their trust in you. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people of our country who are now scared.' Trump requested Budde via the Truth Social network on Wednesday to apologize for what she said, something the bishop emphasized to NPR that she does not plan to do.
'I do not feel there is a need to apologize for a request for mercy,' the bishop emphasized. 'I do not hate him and I pray for him,' Budde added, denying being 'a leftist radical' who hates Trump.
In several interviews, Budde considers 'dangerous generalizations and, in particular, talking about immigrants as if they were all criminals or transgender children as if they were dangerous.' 'We need compassion,' expressed the bishop, highlighting the importance of empathy and mercy in times of division.
The New York Times dedicates an article today titled 'The bishop who pleaded with Trump: Was anyone going to say something?' highlighting Budde's stance for compassion and inclusion. Budde, 65, and the first woman to hold that position in her church, has generated controversy by asking the President of the United States to consider the humanity and dignity of all, regardless of their immigration status or gender identity.
