Episcopal Bishop Who Confronted Trump From Pulpit to Step Down in 2028

Faith Facts

• The Episcopal Church remains one of America’s historic Protestant denominations with deep roots in the founding era.
• Presidents from both parties have traditionally attended the Washington National Cathedral prayer service on Inauguration Day.
• Christian leaders are called to shepherd their flocks with truth and grace rather than political confrontation.

An Episcopal bishop who gained national attention for publicly rebuking President Donald Trump during the 2025 inaugural prayer service has announced her intention to retire.

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, stated that she will conclude her tenure at the end of 2028 after nearly two decades of service.

During the January 2025 prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Budde used her sermon to directly address the newly inaugurated president, urging him to show mercy toward certain groups.

“I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” she said during the nationally televised service.

The remarks drew immediate praise from some quarters and sharp criticism from others who viewed the pulpit as an inappropriate venue for political confrontation.

Under traditional Christian teaching, clergy are entrusted with proclaiming the full counsel of God rather than advancing partisan agendas from the altar.

“In January of 2028, I will have served 18 years as your bishop,” Budde wrote in a letter to her diocese.

Her successor will be chosen through the Episcopal Church’s established discernment process, which involves clergy, lay leaders, and the broader diocese.

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