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The man in the White House announced Monday that God had placed him there, though he avoided placing his hand on the bible as he swore an oath.

He went to church Tuesday, something he almost never does, and heard Episcopal bishop Mariann Budde preach — to him.

He did not like what the bishop said to him in the name of the God he claims he represents. To wit:


/1

pbs.org/newshour/politics/watc

PBS News · WATCH: 'Have mercy' on LGBTQ+ communities and immigrants, Episcopal bishop asks TrumpThe Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, ended her sermon with a direct appeal to President Donald Trump.

"In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives.

The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals —"


/2

"they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurudwaras, 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."


/3

"And that you help those that are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land."

The man's response? He has called Bishop Budde "nasty," a word he reserves for uppity women, and he demands that she apologize.


/4

thedailybeast.com/donald-trump

The Daily Beast · Donald Trump Demands Apology From Bishop Who Hurt His FeelingsBy Janna Brancolini

"While so many already-rich and already-powerful people line up behind Trump so that they might secure more money and more power, or at least protect the largesse they have, the good reverend risked her livelihood and potentially her life (and definitely her temporary wellbeing) in facing Trump publicly"

~ Jill Filipovic


/5

jill.substack.com/p/shock-and-

Jill Filipovic · Shock and AweBy Jill Filipovic

(continued from /5) "and asking of him what any spiritual, moral, or religious leader should ask of all of us: That we act with humanity. …

Conservatives, including elected officials, are already putting a target on her back."


/5

"The reason this moment today popped out for me at least is that there are very few moments where culturally or religiously, I guess, we see people stand up and say, 'Actually, no, this is wrong, no, you shouldn't do this,' because we're in this very defensive crouch for anyone who's an opponent of what Trumpism is. So I think this is why this has got some resonance. ... And maybe that sparks other people to say something."

~ Sam Stein


/7

youtube.com/watch?v=-5_QrbJSn1

"Kentucky police are investigating after a series of racist Ku Klux Klan flyers telling immigrants to 'leave now' were distributed across the state on inauguration day."

~ Adam Gabbatt


/8

theguardian.com/us-news/2025/j

The Guardian · KKK distributes flyers in Kentucky telling immigrants to ‘leave now’By Adam Gabbatt

"The White House Spanish-language website has disappeared, leaving behind an unsettling farewell for its users: a prominent 'Go Home' button. …

After clicking the "go home" button, users are directed to a montage of military imagery paired with triumphant music and cinematic shots of Trump, which leads to a page titled "America is Back."

~ Allison Walker


/9

latintimes.com/white-house-web

Latin Times · White House Website Tells Spanish Users to 'Go Home' as Page Is Shut DownBy Allison Walker

"ICE is here in parts of Detroit and some suburbs with many immigrants (Arabs and Latins), including Dearborn & Hamtramck.
They applauded & voted for Trump last fall.

Because: 'Gaza.' …

We tried to tell them.

They wouldn’t listen. That’s why swing state Michigan went to Trump, and last November, those people were happy and proud of how they made that happen."

~ Pamela Hilliard Owens


/10

substack.com/@wearespeaking/no

SubstackPamela Hilliard Owens on SubstackI just want to cry. The actual temp here in Detroit is -4F. The “real feel” temp is -18F. That's really C-O-L-D, but normal for a few days a year every January. That's not why I'm crying. ICE is here in parts of Detroit and some suburbs with many immigrants (Arabs and Latins), including Dearborn & Hamtramck. They applauded & voted for Trump last fall. Because: "Gaza" That was their reason to reject Kamala. But Joe and Kamala finally got an agreement. Now, Trump’s Cabinet picks want to eliminate Gaza completely, and Trump wants to build waterfront hotels there. I don’t want any “regular” folks deported, undocumented or not. 99.99% of them aren’t criminals or part of a “cabal.” They just want a better life. But we tried to tell them. They wouldn’t listen. That’s why swing state Michigan went to Trump, and last November, those people were happy and proud of how they made that happen. Please restack. Thank you.

Rev. Benjamin Cremer responding to the offense the man in the White House has taken to hearing God's word preached to him by Bishop Mariann Budde.


/11

app.bsky.cz/profile/brcremer.b

"It was the reaction of Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), though, that was most indicative of the current moment: He publicly called for the bishop [i.e., Bishop Mariann Budde] to be deported."


/12

morningmemo.talkingpointsmemo.

Morning Memo · The Trump II Retribution Begins In EarnestBy David Kurtz
William Lindsey :toad:

"What Bishop Budde did, in this particular moment in time, was nothing short of extraordinary. Her sermon wasn’t just brave—it was an act of rebellion that exposed the fragility of tyrants."

~ God


/14

thegodpodcast.com/p/fascist-ch

Letters from God · Fascist Charlatans Furious Over Sermon on MercyBy God

"It took the courage of one woman to change the conversation around Donald Trump."

~ Melissa Ryan

And to those coming to this thread to scoff and laugh because this courageous woman speaks out of her religious conviction, let me say one thing:

We see you. We see how you amplify Trump by laughing at the courage of a woman speaking up against him.

And we won't forget.


/15

altrightdelete.news/p/one-voic

Ctrl Alt Right Delete · One voice begging for mercyBy Melissa Ryan

"The clip went viral online and made the front page of multiple news sites. It changed the conversation from Trump’s shock and awe to the people and communities who are now in harm’s way. It was a reminder of what courage looks like. Something we haven’t seen much of since Trump’s election in November."


/16

As Melissa Ryan says, the courage Mariann Budde shows is something we haven't seen much since Trump's election.

We have not seen it from corporate media. We won't see it there.

We won't see it from business elites — far from it.

We won't this kind of courage among the 80% of white evangelicals and 60% of white Catholics who voted for Trump, or from most leaders in that sector of US Christianity.


/17

My spouse has spent time this morning talking to people working within Catholic immigration services for which he has written grants. They tell him there's anguish among religious groups working to protect immigrants. They know what's coming.

But as I noted, even knowing this was coming, 60% of white Catholics still voted for Trump — voted for him BECAUSE they knew this was coming.


/18