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News Link • Trump Inauguration

Who is Mariann Budde? Washington Bishop who shockingly confronted Trump...

• By JOE HUTCHISON and CLAUDIA AORAHA

An Episcopalian bishop who tried to lecture President Trump on his first full day in office has a history of attacking the commander-in-chief. 

Mariann Budde caused a stir inside the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday as Trump attended the National Prayer Service. 

Budde, 65, made comments concerning LGBTQ people and undocumented migrants during the service, seemingly taking a jab at Trump and his policies. 

The bishop, who proudly puts her pronouns in her Instagram biography, is also pro-gay marriage and previously donated to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

In a piece with the Washington Post in 2011, after being installed as the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, she was described as 'unapologetically liberal'.

Speaking then, she told the outlet: 'I'm in favor of gay marriage, always have been. At this point it's a no-brainer.'

The diocese website boasts that she serves as an advocate of racial equity, gun violence prevention, immigration reform and inclusivity.  

Budde, who is married with two adult children, had also previously oversaw a convention in the diocese that called for the disuse of gendered pronouns for God.

During the sermon on Tuesday, she told the congregation: 'There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.' 

She addressed Trump directly - as he sat wearing a red tie in the pew next to his wife and new vice president. 

'Millions have put their trust in you, in the name of our God, I ask you, have mercy on people in our country who are scared now. 

Budde went on to make reference to the laboring workforce of migrants across the US, who clean restaurant kitchens and pick crops. 

She urged the new president: 'They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals'. 

The episcopal leader already has a record of criticizing Trump, calling him 'antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that we as a church stand for.' 

Zano