The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, blasted President Donald Trump on Monday night after he had peaceful protesters teargassed so that he could use St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of her churches, to stage a photo-op.
“Let me be clear: The President just used a Bible and the sacred text of the Judeo-Christian and one of the churches of my diocese without permission as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything our churches stand for,” Budde told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
The bishop noted that Trump hadn’t even prayed during his visit.
“I just can’t believe what my eyes have seen tonight,” she said.
Budde also ripped Trump in an interview with the Washington Post, saying that “everything he has said and done is to inflame violence.”
“We need moral leadership, and he’s done everything to divide us,” she told the Post.
The White House did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.
Trump visited the church shortly after giving a formal address at the White House in which he railed against the protests in major cities caused by the killing of George Floyd and demanded governors call in the National Guard to “dominate the streets.”
He spent little time talking about police brutality or Floyd, who died as a result of a white police officer’s extended neck restraint in Minneapolis, Minnesota last week.
Before the visit, the federal police deployed tear gas at the protesters, who had not been violent, near the the church to make way for Trump.
Listen to Budde below:
Episcopal Diocese of Washington Bishop: Trump used the Bible and one of my churches to push a message "antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything our churches stand for." pic.twitter.com/LbPzXQOR3I
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) June 2, 2020
And the best part: Trump holds up a bible and reporters ask “Is that your bible?” and Trump replies, “It’s A bible.”
Cue witty twitter people:“Is that your President?” “It’s A President.”
I love the picture of DiJiT clasping the bible and the sign in the background with HAGUE on it.
Delicious !
It’s called righteous indignation. This time the emphasis is on the righteous part. Good for you Bishop Budde. Good for you.
I prefer this photo-shopped picture.
Just posted this to another article from WaPo. The WH criminal and his wife are going to another church today
Trump plans visit to Catholic shrine a day after photo-op at Episcopal church near White House
Apparently all concerned thought the stunt yesterday was a huge success so they’re going to go for the gold.
American burns and tRump gets religion.