Trump demands apology from bishop who urged mercy on LGBTQ+ people and migrants

US President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in America illegally.

Referencing Mr Trump’s belief that he was saved by God from assassination, the Right Rev Mariann Budde said: “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.”

After he returned to the White House, Mr Trump said: “I didn’t think it was a good service,” and “they could do much better”.

“She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart,” said Mr Trump, a Republican, adding that Ms Budde did not mention that some migrants have come to the United States and killed people.

“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job!” Mr Trump said. “She and her church owe the public an apology!”

The Trump administration has already issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights and toughening immigration policies.

The Washington National Cathedral service was largely focused on national unity. Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their families attended, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Mr Trump’s US defence secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth.

In her sermon, Ms Budde said they gathered “to pray for unity as a people and a nation — not for agreement, political or otherwise — but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division”.

She added: “Unity is not partisan.”