Bishop Who Criticized Trump Under Fire Over $53 Million in Federal Immigrant Aid

A new controversy has emerged around Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde after revelations that her organization, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), received $53 million in 2023 from U.S. government funds designated for immigrant resettlement efforts. The disclosure has sparked a wave of criticism, especially from conservative voices, who now question whether Bishop Budde’s recent advocacy on behalf of undocumented immigrants was rooted in humanitarian conviction—or driven by financial incentives.

Bishop Budde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and is known for her vocal support of progressive causes like LGBT rights and expanded immigration policies, made headlines after President Donald Trump’s inauguration when she delivered a sermon that many viewed as a direct rebuke of the administration’s stance on immigration and religious freedom.

In her remarks during the National Prayer Service, she urged Trump to reflect on the compassion of a “loving God” and to extend mercy to vulnerable communities, particularly immigrants and LGBTQ individuals. Her message, though spiritually framed, was widely interpreted as a veiled critique of Trump’s early executive actions.

However, recent reporting suggests that Budde’s passionate pleas may have also aligned with her organization’s financial interests. Episcopal Migration Ministries, which resettled over 6,400 refugees from 48 countries in 2024 under humanitarian provisions, depends heavily on federal contracts. Those contracts—now threatened by tightened immigration restrictions under Trump—represent a major portion of EMM’s funding.

Conservative commentator Tara Bull took to social media to highlight the potential conflict of interest, writing: “Bishop Mariann Budde’s EMM received $53 million in 2023 from federal immigration resettlement funds. No wonder Trump’s policies are hitting a nerve. This isn’t just advocacy—it’s about money.”

Others echoed this sentiment. Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, blasted Budde’s earlier sermon, accusing her of using a sacred platform to push a partisan agenda. “She had an opportunity to unify the country around a message of faith,” Kirk said, “but instead, she delivered what sounded like a political monologue more fitting for CNN than a prayer service.”

In her sermon, Budde invoked Trump’s own references to divine guidance, saying, “Mr. President, millions have placed their trust in you. You spoke yesterday of sensing the providential hand of God. In that spirit, I ask you to show mercy to the frightened among us.”

She went on to defend immigrants as hardworking individuals essential to many sectors of American life—citing examples like janitorial staff, farm workers, and hospital employees. But critics argue that her portrayal overlooks the complexities of illegal immigration and the importance of law enforcement.

The firestorm surrounding Bishop Budde has brought renewed attention to the intersection of faith, politics, and government funding. While many see her as a moral voice speaking on behalf of the marginalized, others view her financial ties to federal programs as a serious ethical question. As the Trump administration continues to roll back immigration programs and funding for resettlement, the future of EMM—and the tone of Budde’s advocacy—may well depend on how these policies evolve.