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'I Am Not Going to Apologize': Bishop Who Confronted Trump Speaks Out
In an interview with TIME, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde discussed her sermon, which has drawn death threats and prompted Trump to demand an apology
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” who is “not very good at her job.”
Bishop Budde asked Trump “to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.” Trump glared and shifted uncomfortably as she spoke.
She added, “I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.”
Since her sermon drew national attention on Tuesday, Budde tells TIME she has “heard from many people who are grateful that someone was willing to speak on their behalf” as well as those who “have said they do wish me dead, and that's a little heartbreaking.”
BISHOP BUDDE: I hope that a message calling for dignity, respecting dignity, honesty, humility and kindness is resonating with people. I'm grateful for that. I'm saddened by the level of vitriol that it has evoked in others, and the intensity of it has been disheartening.
Trump called you a "Radical left hard line Trump hater." What's your response to that?
I don't hate President Trump. I strive not to hate anyone and I dare say that I am not of the 'radical left' either, whatever that means. That is not who I am.
He said you're not very good at your job.
That is for other people to judge, and so he is certainly entitled to his opinion.
And he said you should apologize. Will you apologize?
I am not going to apologize for asking for mercy for others.
Have you received threats? Do you feel in danger?
The real people who are in danger are those who are fearful of being deported. The real people who are in danger are the young people who feel they cannot be themselves and be safe and who are prone to all kinds of both external attacks and suicidal responses to them. So I think we should keep our eyes on the people who are really vulnerable in our society. I have a lot of support and a lot of safety around me, so no, I'm not feeling personally at risk. Although people have said they do wish me dead, and that's a little heartbreaking. It was a pretty mild sermon. It certainly wasn't a fire and brimstone sermon. It was as respectful and as universal as I could with the exception of making someone who has been entrusted with such enormous influence and power to have mercy on those who are most vulnerable.