Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, is now facing scrutiny over her church’s deep financial ties to federally funded refugee resettlement programs. While publicly condemning Trump’s stance on immigration, Budde's Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) received $53 million in taxpayer funds in 2023 alone to resettle thousands of migrants across the U.S. In 2024, the organization facilitated the immigration of 6,400 individuals from 48 different countries, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest between church-led humanitarian efforts and government funding.
Critics argue that Budde’s outspoken moral condemnations of Trump’s policies ring hollow given her church’s reliance on federal money to support its resettlement initiatives. The controversy deepened after a sermon at the National Cathedral in which Budde called for more compassion towards migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, prompting a sharp rebuke from Trump, who labeled her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and demanded an apology.
The situation underscores broader debates about the role of religious institutions in political advocacy, the ethics of government-funded faith-based programs, and whether humanitarian work is being used as a cover for financial and political gain.
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