Donald Trump issues brutal four-word rebuke of Bishop who 'lectured' him on LGBT+ 'mercy'

Donald Trump has lashed out at a bishop who asked him to "show mercy" over immigration policy and fears felt by LGBT+ communities in the US.

On Tuesday, Trump looked stony-faced as he was "lectured" by Bishop Mariann Budde during an event in Washington. In a speech directed at the Commander-in-Chief, the bishop said the world order "as we know it is over" and that people now "face a world of hard competition" - a criticism against Trump's list of executive orders. One of them included the condemnation of "gender ideology", in which he said the US only recognises two sexes, male and female, as "policy".

In response, the bishop said: "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," Budde said in her sermon. "There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in both Democratic, Republican and independent families who fear for their lives."

Trump took to Truth Social to lash out at the bishop, branding her a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater". The post read: "The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way.

"She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. 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!"

Trump was referring to comments the bishop made on his immigration policy. She said: "They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation - but the vast majority... are not criminals". She added: "They pay taxes and are good neighbours, they are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues 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 warzones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here," she said.

And she pointed out how "God teaches us to be merciful to the stranger" before asking: "May God grant us the strength and courage to honour the dignity of every human being".

The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington's most public connections to Trump occurred in 2020 during the first administration when she criticised him for staging a visit to the historic St. John's Church across from the White House, where he held up a Bible after authorities had cleared the area of peaceful protesters.

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