Who is Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop who upset Trump during an inaugural prayer service?

The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Washington, made headlines this week after she angered President Donald Trump with her sermon during an inaugural prayer service. It was not the first time the cleric has publicly disagreed with Trump, but it became a striking moment in what is usually a staid and scripted event. Budde made a direct appeal to Trump in her sermon, asking him to have mercy on members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants who are in the country illegally. Trump later claimed Budde is a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” on his Truth Social site.

"I don't need to apologize": Bishop who angered Donald Trump with sermon speaks out

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde said she felt no need to apologize for asking the president to "have mercy."

Hegseth’s former sister-in-law says he believed women shouldn’t vote

That tracks with the tenets of a religious movement he's involved in.

Trump Will Bulldoze the Separation of Church and State

We can expect Trump to continue to exploit religion and pander to his base of white evangelicals.

On a Mission From God: Inside the Movement to Redirect Billions of Taxpayer Dollars to Private Religious Schools

Private letters reveal the strategy behind the decadeslong quest — successful in 12 states and counting — by politicians, church officials and activists to make taxpayer-funded school vouchers available not just to the poor but to the wealthy.

Texas board advances plan to allow Bible material in elementary school lessons

The Texas State Board of Education has given initial approval to a Bible-infused curriculum that would be optional for public schools to adopt for lessons from kindergarten through fifth grade. The plan advancing Tuesday is the latest Republican-led effort to incorporate more religious teaching into U.S. public school classrooms. The board heard hours of impassioned testimony Monday from teachers and parents and plans a final vote Friday. The curriculum would allow teachings from the Bible including the Golden Rule and lessons from such books as Genesis. Critics said the curriculum would alienate students of other faith backgrounds while supporters called it a core part of a classical education.

Leonard Leo’s Plan to Suppress Voters in Swing-States

A cadre of lawyers tied to conservative activist Leonard Leo is spearheading a series of legal attacks on voting rights in critical swing states. The operation aims to suppress voters, with the potential to tip the scales during the election this fall.

Persagen.com