President Trump and Republicans this week slammed a plea for "mercy" by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde during a Tuesday morning prayer service, calling it unjustified and inappropriate. But she is unfazed by their denunciations.

With Trump seated in the first pew of Washington National Cathedral, alongside first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Vance and second lady Usha Vance, Budde asked the new administration to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”

The Episcopal leader for the Washington area said most immigrants, even those without proper documentation, were good neighbors, and the vast majority are “not criminals.” She added that “there are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”

President Trump and Vance listened, with Vance twice slowly turning his head toward his wife, who didn't acknowledge the gestures.

Returning to the White House, Trump told reporters that Budde’s service was “not too exciting, was it?” Later, in the early hours of Wednesday, Trump fumed at Budde on Truth Social.

“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way,” Trump wrote, adding that her service was “uninspiring,” “nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.”

© The Hill