During Tuesday's service at the National Cathedral in Washington, Bishop of the Episcopal Church Mariann Edgar Budde asked President Donald Trump for mercy for immigrants and sexual minorities. She also appealed to him to “find compassion” for refugees fleeing war-torn countries and convinced him that most immigrants were not criminals. “I don't think it was a good service,” Trump said afterward.
– In the name of our God, I ask you to show mercy to the people in our country who live in fear today. There are homosexual children, lesbians and transgender people among us. Growing up in Democrat, Republican and Independent families. They are now afraid for their lives, said the bishop of the Episcopal Church, Mariann Edgar Budde, addressing the person sitting in the front row. Donald Trump during the service at the National Cathedral.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal ChurchWILL OLIVER/PAP/EPA
The priest also asked the president to “find compassion” for refugees fleeing war-torn countries and convinced him that most immigrants are not criminals.
– There are also those who harvest our crops every day, clean our offices, work on poultry farms and meat plants. They wash dishes after our meals in restaurants or spend nights working shifts in hospitals. They may not have citizenship or appropriate documents, but the vast majority of them are criminals, said Mariann Edgar Budde. – These are people who pay taxes, are good neighbors and faithful members of our churches, mosques, synagogues and temples – added the cleric.
Trump: I don't think it was a good service
Immediately after the homily, Trump exchanged a few words with Vice President Vance, who was sitting next to him, and nodded. After leaving the cathedral, when asked about his assessment of the service, he said that it “wasn't very exciting.” – I don't think it was a good service. They could do it much better, he added.
Donald Trump during a service at the National Cathedral in Washington Jabin Botsford/PAP/EPA
On Monday, Trump signed several dozen regulations and other legal acts, including ending the admission of refugees and suspending the right to asylum, and announced. Other acts included restoring the recognition of two biological sexes, as well as abolishing policies regarding inclusion and protection of minorities against discrimination.
READ MORE: Trump's avalanche of executive orders
Main photo source: WILL OLIVER/PAP/EPA