The bishop who went viral for pleading with Donald Trump to "have mercy" on certain demographics has given out a new message.
Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde made headlines shortly after Trump was sworn in as President, as she grilled him during a service.
"In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," Budde said during the service. "There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families—some who fear for their lives.”
She continued: "I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here."
Budde also highlighted the contributions of immigrants, stating: "They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara, and temples."
Trump, seated in the front pew alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance, remained expressionless throughout the sermon.
The President later took to his social media platform, Truth Social, where he criticized Budde, calling her a "radical left hard-line Trump hater."
"She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people," Trump wrote.
He continued: "Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA.
"Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!" he added.
Now, for the first time since November 2024, Budde has returned to Instagram with a video message thanking those who supported her and calling for unity and courage.
"Hi friends, it is Bishop Mariann here. I stepped away from social media for a time but I wanted to step back in to say thank you," she said in the video, posted on February 25.
"I cannot tell you how much it's meant to me to receive the letters and phone calls and notes and gifts and expressions of gratitude, support, and encouragement," Budde continued.
"I am persuaded that there is a spirit of love and goodness in this land that flows through all of us and now is a time for us to stand together, to take courage from one another and learn together how we are to be brave now and hold on to the things that are good about us and about our country.
"We can do this especially when we remember that we are never alone and that when one of us falters, we are hundred others that are standing strong."
Budde went on: "Sometimes we stand strong for the sake of those that can’t and that together God will work through us to bring about the kind of society, the kind of community that we all deserve and that we want to pass on to those who come after us.
"Take good care, have courage and remember together we can all be brave."