Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, made headlines with a powerful plea for mercy during President Trump’s inaugural prayer service. Urging compassion for immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, she called on the president to show mercy to those in fear. Her remarks sparked both praise and backlash, with critics accusing her of politicising her role, while others lauded her courageous stance on social justice and leadership rooted in compassion.