Mariann Edgar Budde, who holds one of the nation’s most prestigious clerical posts as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, curried controversy and drew pushback on Tuesday when she used a sermon to criticize President Donald Trump for some of his politics and policy prescriptions.
The remarks came at a church service hosted by the bishop at her diocesan seat, the Washington National Cathedral. They were a stark contrast to the bipartisanship usually on display at the cathedral, where leaders from both parties are honored.
The church has hosted the state funerals of American presidents of both parties, including most recently Jimmy Carter’s state funeral on Jan. 9.
The prayer service after a presidential inauguration is a national tradition that Trump participated in after his first inauguration in January of 2017.
