Bishop Mariann Budde, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, has been linked to $53 million in federal funding received by her organisation, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), for migrant resettlement.
Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, made headlines for her remarks during an inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, where she urged Trump to show compassion toward undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ individuals.
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” Budde began. “As you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God.”
“In the name of a loving God, to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now, she stated. “There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
“And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings…They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation,” she added.
“The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors…May I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away,” she added.
Trump later responded on Truth Social, calling Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and criticizing her for making political statements during a religious service.
Trump stated in a post, “The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.
“She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.
“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!
According to the New York Post, EMM received $53 million in 2023 to resettle 3,600 individuals through federal programs. The organization also runs a specialized refugee program, “Preferred Communities,” which assists LGBTQ refugees and asylees.
Budde has not publicly addressed the reports about her organization’s funding.
