Bishop tells Donald Trump to be merciful on 'frightened' Americans

President Trump and his family attended a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, along with JD Vance, the vice-president, and his family. READ MORE: https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/trump-first-day-executive-orders-latest-news-6wchmk8lb It has been a tradition for newly sworn-in presidents since the inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Washington, appeared to address Trump’s executive orders targeting immigration and birthright during the national prayer service. She made a direct plea to the president “to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now”, specifically naming LGBT people, immigrants, children and people fleeing war zones. Trump, sitting on the front row, looked down, while JD Vance, the vice-president, raised his eyebrows. “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” the bishop said. “I ask you to have mercy, Mr President. We were all once strangers in this land.” In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine last week, Budde said: “Trump seeks to dismantle everything I stand for.” Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=timesonlinevideo Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timesandsundaytimes/ Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetimes Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetimes/ #trump #maga #usa