Georgia Representative Mike Collins, a Republican, called for the deportation of Bishop Mariann Budde following her critical remarks during a national prayer service for President Donald Trump.
In a Tuesday post on X, Collins wrote: "The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list," alongside a clip of her criticisms of Trump's immigration and LGBTQ+ policies. His post had been viewed 17.4 million times by Wednesday.
Newsweek contacted Collins' office via phone as well as Budde and the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The incident is another example of the GOP and Trump being at odds with non-evangelical Christian leaders over their stance on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
While Trump is a dominant political force among evangelical and conservative Christians, he has faced criticism from the Pope, the former Archbishop of Canterbury in the U.K. and progressive mainline protestants in the U.S over a range of issues.
What to Know
During the prayer service, Budde called for mercy toward immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, criticizing Trump's newly signed executive orders on gender recognition and deportation measures.
Budde described undocumented immigrants as "good neighbors" and urged Trump to consider their contributions to society, stating: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals."
She also addressed concerns for LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the fears of "gay, lesbian, and transgender children" under Trump's policies.
Trump later criticized the prayer service on Truth Social, calling the bishop "very ungracious" and "not very good at her job."
Collins' post on X aligns with Trump's pledge to enact the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. Budde, born in New Jersey, is a U.S. citizen.
The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants U.S. citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., children of foreign diplomats, which Budde's parents were not). This citizenship is granted automatically at birth, and the individual enjoys the rights and protections of a U.S. citizen.
Deportation, under U.S. immigration law, is a process that applies only to foreign nationals, including lawful permanent residents, visa holders and undocumented individuals.
What People Are Saying
Collins (R-Ga.) on X: "The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list."
Trump on Truth Social: "The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way."
Budde during the service: "Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now."
What Happens Next
Trump is expected to advance his policies against illegal immigrants and transgender people, while Budde will likely continue addressing social issues in her sermons.
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