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Episcopal Bishop From Church Where Trump Held Photo-Op Savagely Shames Trump for His Bible Stunt in Angry Rant
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images // BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Peaceful protestors demonstrated in front of the White House on Monday night against the murder of George Floyd by police. Around 6:35pm, almost a half hour before a citywide curfew was to go into effect, military police began tear gassing them, forcing them out of Lafayette Park.

Minutes later, President Donald Trump emerged from the White House and walked to St. John's Episcopal Church, whose basement had been set on fire the previous night. Trump brandished a bible in front of the church while the press took pictures of him.

The President had his own citizens gassed for a photo opportunity.

Americans across the country were outraged, but few were as outraged as Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, under whose diocese St. John's resides.

Budde had no idea that Trump was walking to the church—and using tear gas to clear his path—until she saw it on television.

In no uncertain terms, she condemned Trump's actions to CNN's Anderson Cooper.

Watch below.

Budde said that Trump's message was "antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our churches stand for," before condemning his use of tear gas.

She continued:

"I am outraged. The President did not pray when he came to St. John's, nor...did he acknowledge the agony of our country right now and in particular that of the people of color of our nation who wonder if anyone in public power will ever acknowledge their sacred worth and who are rightfully demanding an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in this country."

She then said:

"I just want the world to know that we in the Diocese of Washington, following Jesus and his way of love, we distance ourself from the incendiary language of this President. We follow someone who lived a life of nonviolence and sacrificial love. We align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest."

Budde reiterated the condemnation on her Twitter account.

People commended her unequivocal rebuke.







She was far from the only one who found Trump's actions deplorable.






Despicable.