WASHINGTON (AP) — The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Diocese of Washington, said Wednesday that she will continue to pray for President Donald Trump, hours after he lashed out at her over a sermon. “I don’t consider him an enemy,” Budde told The Associated Press.

Trump's reaction is another example of his administration being at odds with prominent religious leaders over his stance on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

While Trump is a dominant political force among evangelical and conservative Christians, he has faced criticism from the Pope, the former Archbishop of Canterbury in the U.K. and progressive mainline protestants in the U.S over a range of issues.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde called on President Trump to have mercy on transgender children and immigrant families at a National Cathedral prayer service for the inauguration Tuesday, which went

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

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.

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,

Mariann Budde, 65, is the Episcopalian bishop who confronted Trump during the National Prayer Service. Trump and Vice President JD Vance were in attendance as part of their first full day in the Oval Office.

Readers respond to the Right Rev. Mariann Budde’s message to President Donald Trump at Washington National Cathedral. Regarding the Jan. 22 Metro article “ At National Prayer Service, a plea to Trump: ‘Have mercy’ ”:

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, whose appeal to President Trump for mercy in her sermon at a national prayer service caused a stir, said she will not apologize despite GOP backlash.

Rev. Mariann Budde the Episcopal Bishop of Washington defended a plea for mercy she made to President Donald Trump on behalf of immigrants and others during an inaugural prayer service a day before.