Transcript Of Rev. Budde’s Plea To Trump
In a time of deep division and uncertainty, the words of Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, resonate as a powerful call for compassion and humanity. In her heartfelt plea to President Trump, Rev. Budde speaks on behalf of those who live in fear — fear of discrimination, separation from loved ones, and a lack of mercy in the face of their struggles. She reminds us of our shared humanity and our responsibility, as individuals, to honor the dignity of every human being.
May this message inspire reflection and action, calling us all to rise to the moral challenge of our time.
“Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you and, as you told the nation yesterday, 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. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They…may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people. Good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen”