Episcopal bishop who urged Trump to ‘have mercy’ to resign post in Washington DC

Rev Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington DC who gained national attention when she called on Donald Trump to “have mercy” on the country’s immigrants and LGBTQ+ community after his second inauguration, is resigning.

Budde shared in her resignation letter that she will be leaving her post on 3 June 2028 after the consecration and ordination of the new diocesan bishop.

“I write today because I have discerned, in consultation with diocesan leadership and the Presiding Bishop’s office, that it is time to begin preparing for the election of your next bishop. I have not come to this decision lightly or alone, and it will not be easy to say goodbye to the diocese I love,” her letter said.

Next week, the standing committee will outline the steps required, which include the appointment of two committees to undertake this work, the letter added.

Budde, 66, is the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the Episcopal diocese of Washington. She has been leading the diocese since her election to the role in 2011. Before that, she served as the rector of St John’s Episcopal church in Minneapolis for 18 years.

She made headlines for urging Trump during her sermon to show mercy to “gay, lesbian and transgender children” from all political backgrounds, some of whom, she said, “fear for their lives”.

Budde arriving for the National Day of Prayer service, with Donald Trump beyond, in Washington on 21 January 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Trump demanded an apology in a post shared on social media.

“She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart,” the president said.

“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!”

It was not the first time Budde had called out and clashed with Trump.

During Trump’s first term, she published an opinion piece in the New York Times, expressing outrage over Trump’s appearance in front of St John’s Episcopal holding up a Bible for a photo after federal officers had used force to clear a crowd of peaceful protesters demonstrating against the police killing of George Floyd the previous week.

Budde wrote that Trump had “used sacred symbols to cloak himself in the mantle of spiritual authority, while espousing positions antithetical to the Bible that he held in his hands”.

Looking towards the future of the Episcopal diocese of Washington, Budde wrote, she is committed to ensuring a strong and healthy transition for her successor.

“Alongside the diocesan staff and leadership bodies, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the diocese is as strong and healthy as possible for this leadership transition. I am praying for all involved, and especially for the one God is preparing to serve as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Washington,” Budde concluded.