Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has long been a voice for the progressive left, but her latest exploits reveal just how far she has strayed from biblical truth.
Budde, who infamously rebuked President Donald Trump the day after his inauguration in a sermon that was more political than spiritual, continues to champion leftist causes over Christian doctrine. Now, she is basking in the attention of her supposed supporters, claiming she has received over 20,000 letters of encouragement following her latest attacks on Trump and conservative values.
Budde recently posted a video on Facebook thanking her supporters, gushing about the letters, phone calls, and even gifts she has received. “I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me to receive the letters, phone calls, notes, gifts and expressions of gratitude, support and encouragement,” she stated. She went on to paint herself as a courageous figure leading a noble movement, urging her followers to “stand together” and “be brave.”
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This spectacle of self-congratulation raises serious questions: Who exactly are these alleged supporters? And why does she feel the need to highlight the volume of responses as if popularity equates to righteousness?
The Episcopal Church, which has seen dramatic membership decline in recent years, has increasingly embraced progressive activism to remain relevant. Budde’s letter-writing fanfare appears to be a calculated move to further entrench her as a darling of the leftist religious establishment. Rather than standing firm on biblical principles, she positions herself as a crusader for open borders, transgender ideology and government welfare programs—all while rebuking conservative policies as heartless and unchristian.
One of the most glaring contradictions in her ministry is the Episcopal Migration Ministries, which took in $53 million in federal funds in 2024 alone to resettle 3,600 individuals. While Budde preaches compassion and mercy, her church’s refugee resettlement arm benefits directly from government money, with a structure designed to maximize financial gain. Programs like “Preferred Communities” and “Matching Grant” make EMM’s efforts a lucrative endeavor, while the Episcopal Church even takes a cut from refugee travel loan repayments. This raises significant concerns about conflicts of interest, but Budde remains silent on these inconvenient truths.
President Trump, for his part, wasted no time in exposing Budde’s duplicity. After she called on him to “have mercy” on illegal immigrants and refugees, Trump fired back, demanding an apology and rightly calling her out as a “Radical Left hardline Trump hater.” He further highlighted her failure to address the real consequences of unchecked migration, including violent crime committed by illegal migrants—an issue that Budde and her progressive allies conveniently ignore.
Budde’s brand of Christianity has become little more than a political movement draped in religious language.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
