- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Bishop Budde leads clergy protests in Minneapolis a year after urging Trump to have mercy
The Episcopal bishop of Washington reflects on her sermon calling for compassion and the continued faith-based activism on behalf of immigrants.
Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:47pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Almost exactly a year after preaching a sermon in front of President Trump that called on him to have 'mercy' on immigrants, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington stood in a church in Minneapolis surrounded by an array of clergy protesting the administration's mass deportation campaign. Budde discussed how the situation has escalated over the past year and the importance of faith leaders showing up to 'cast a light' on the ICE raids happening across the country.
Why it matters
Bishop Budde's sermon a year ago drew backlash from the president and other political figures, but her message of compassion for immigrants has resonated with many faith leaders who are now joining her in protest. The increased intensity and 'vitriol' of the administration's deportation efforts have spurred clergy across the country to take action, seeing it as a 'generational struggle' to preserve American values.
The details
A year after her sermon in front of President Trump, Bishop Budde joined hundreds of faith leaders who flocked to Minneapolis this week to protest the administration's mass deportation campaign. She reflected on how quickly and dramatically the country has changed, with the goals of the Trump administration 'coming into being' much sooner than anticipated. Budde encouraged clergy to be 'brave but wise,' noting that acts of courage are often 'small and local' rather than putting oneself in great danger.
- Almost exactly a year ago, on January 22, 2025, Bishop Budde preached a sermon in front of President Trump calling for 'mercy' on immigrants.
- On January 22, 2026, Bishop Budde stood in a church in Minneapolis surrounded by clergy protesting the administration's mass deportation campaign.
The players
Mariann Budde
The Episcopal bishop of Washington who preached a sermon a year ago calling on President Trump to have 'mercy' on immigrants.
Donald Trump
The former president who was the target of Bishop Budde's sermon a year ago calling for compassion on immigrants.
Mike Johnson
The former Speaker of the House who called Bishop Budde's message 'radical' in response to her sermon a year ago.
What they’re saying
“In our varied and united faith traditions, love of neighbor is not optional.”
— Mariann Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington (anabaptistworld.org)
“I don't think a year ago we could have fathomed how quickly and how dramatically this country would change. The degree to which the goals and aspirations of the Trump administration as they came into office, how soon they would actually come into being and what it has cost the country.”
— Mariann Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington (anabaptistworld.org)
The takeaway
Bishop Budde's call for compassion and her continued faith-based activism on behalf of immigrants highlights the growing divide in the country and the importance of religious leaders speaking out against policies that many see as dehumanizing and degrading. Her message resonates with clergy across the country who are willing to put themselves on the line to resist mass deportation tactics.
