Episcopal Bishop Budde to Step Down in 2028 After Public Feud With Trump

Key points

• Mariann Edgar Budde will resign as Episcopal bishop of Washington on June 3, 2028, following the consecration of her successor.
• The decision was made in consultation with diocesan leadership and the Presiding Bishop’s office, with Budde describing the choice as not made lightly.
• Budde, 66, is the first woman to lead the diocese and has served since 2011, previously serving as rector of St John’s Episcopal church in Minneapolis for 18 years.
• She gained national prominence in January 2025 for urging Trump to have mercy on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people during his second inauguration prayer service.
• Trump responded by demanding an apology, calling her sermon 'nasty in tone' and 'not compelling or smart,' and stating she was 'not very good at her job.'
• The diocese will elect a new bishop at a convention on January 29, 2028, with the Standing Committee outlining next steps in the selection process.

Background

Budde’s resignation follows a pattern of public clashes with the Trump administration. During Trump’s first term, she criticized his use of a Bible during a photo op at St John’s Episcopal church after police cleared protesters following the George Floyd killing. Her 2025 remarks at the inauguration prayer service marked a significant escalation in their public dispute. The resignation occurs amid broader political and cultural tensions in Washington, DC, including controversies over public projects and federal policy changes.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and The Washington Post emphasize Budde’s public confrontation with Trump as the defining feature of her tenure, framing her resignation as a consequence of her outspoken stance. NBC4 Washington focuses on the procedural aspects of her departure and her personal reflection on serving as bishop. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s official letter highlights the collaborative nature of the decision and the planned transition process, avoiding direct reference to the Trump controversy. All sources agree on the timeline and the fact that Budde is the first woman to hold the position, but they differ in emphasis: some outlets center the political conflict, while others focus on the ecclesiastical process and her personal sentiments.

Why it matters

Budde’s resignation marks the end of a 15-year tenure that became a symbol of religious-political conflict in the United States. Her public challenge to the president during a national inauguration highlighted the tension between religious leadership and political power. The transition to a new bishop will shape the future direction of the Episcopal diocese in Washington, a prominent religious institution in the nation’s capital. The event also reflects broader debates about the role of religious figures in public political discourse.

What to watch

The diocese will hold a convention on January 29, 2028, to elect a new bishop. The Standing Committee will outline the selection process in the coming weeks, including the appointment of two committees to oversee the transition. Budde will remain in office until June 3, 2028, when her successor is consecrated and ordained. She plans to return to Minnesota after her tenure ends.