Bishop Who Lectured Trump Exposed For Taking $53 Million From Government Fund “Immigrant Resettlement”
In a startling revelation, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde and her organization, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), were discovered to have received an astonishing $53 million in 2023 from taxpayer-funded government initiatives designed to assist in the resettlement of immigrants. This disclosure has ignited a heated debate, with numerous individuals questioning whether Bishop Budde’s recent appeals for compassion on behalf of undocumented immigrants were motivated by financial gain rather than authentic Christian empathy.
Bishop Budde, who has consistently been a prominent supporter of progressive causes, including open borders and LGBT rights, garnered attention earlier this year for her sermon at the National Prayer Service shortly following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Rather than presenting a conventional Christian message, she utilized the occasion to deliver a politically charged speech, imploring the new president to show mercy to the LGBT community and undocumented immigrants. Her sermon was broadly interpreted as a thinly disguised critique of Trump’s immigration and religious liberty policies.
Nevertheless, recent reports indicate that Budde’s outspoken advocacy may not be entirely selfless. In 2024, Episcopal Migration Ministries facilitated the resettlement of over 6,400 individuals from 48 distinct countries through a special humanitarian initiative. This achievement is significant, and with the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict immigration and suspend resettlement programs, EMM’s contracts have reportedly faced interruptions. For an organization that has depended on federal funding to sustain its operations, this disruption raises critical concerns regarding the financial repercussions of Trump’s policies on Budde and her organization.
Conservative commentator Tara Bull made a pointed remark on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that Bishop Budde’s passionate appeals for mercy might be more about safeguarding her organization’s financial interests than a genuine moral concern. “It has come to light that Bishop Mariann Budde’s Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) received $53 million from government programs in 2023 for ‘Immigrant Resettlement,’” Bull stated. “Thus, Trump is indeed impacting her business. Everything is beginning to clarify now.”
This perspective was shared by conservative voices such as Charlie Kirk, who condemned the bishop’s sermon as a lost chance for a unifying Christian message. Rather than emphasizing faith, Kirk contended, Budde utilized the opportunity to present a liberal political discourse, resembling more of a segment on CNN or an episode of *The View*. “Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She is the first woman to occupy this role. Today, she was afforded a significant honor, a chance to unify America around a Christian message at the onset of a new administration. Instead, she brought shame upon herself,” Kirk remarked.
In her sermon, Budde appealed to Trump’s alleged Christian values, imploring him to extend mercy to those whom she believed were being unjustly targeted. “Allow me to make one last appeal, Mr. President,” she stated. “Millions have placed their trust in you, and as you mentioned to the nation yesterday, you have sensed the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I beseech you to show mercy to the individuals in our country who are frightened.”
She proceeded to characterize immigrants, many of whom she asserted were “not criminals,” as vital contributors to American society in various roles—from cleaning office buildings to working in poultry farms and hospitals. While her message may have struck a chord with some, conservatives argue that it fails to acknowledge the realities of illegal immigration and the importance of upholding the law.
Bishop Budde’s appeal for empathy towards undocumented immigrants and members of the LGBT community prompts significant inquiries regarding the convergence of politics and religion, particularly in light of potential financial interests. As the Trump administration persists in its efforts to enforce stricter immigration policies, it is uncertain whether Bishop Budde and her organization will maintain their financial benefits from government-sponsored resettlement initiatives or if her stance will adapt to the shifting political landscape.
