Bishop Mariann Budde on her plea to Donald Trump

Diane Rehm: On My Mind

Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivered a sermon at the National Cathedral on Tuesday in honor of Donald Trump’s inauguration. She ended with a direct address to the president.

“Let me make one final plea, ” she said. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”

She went on to mention gay, lesbian and transgender children “in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.” She talked about families in the country without documentation who are terrified of being torn apart.

In response, the president demanded an apology, claiming Budde brought politics into the church. But Bishop Budde says she stands by her words, and that reminding the country of our shared humanity is part of her duty as a member of the clergy.

Bishop Budde is Diane’s faith leader, and she joins her today to explain why she felt she had to speak up and why she feels no need to apologize.