Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The bad news is that 2025 hasn't got off to the best start. We've seen Donald Trump being sworn into the White House for a second time; devastating wildfires sweep across Los Angeles; and endless bad weather. And it's only January.
The good news is that a ray of light has emerged amongst all the madness in the form of Mariann Budde. On Tuesday, Mariann, an Episcopalian bishop, made headlines after confronting Donald Trump during the National Prayer Service on Tuesday at the National Cathedral in Washington. Trump and Vice President JD Vance(the guy who once called Kamala a ‘childless cat lady’,) were there as part of their first full day in the Oval Office, but were given a wake up call when Budde forced them to listen to a different perspective.
'There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives,' she said. 'Millions have put their trust in you. In the name of our God, I ask you, have mercy on people in our country who are scared now..'
This comes after Trump issued an executive order declaring that there are only two biological sexes, and put an end to 'radical and wasteful' diversity, equity and inclusion programs inside federal agencies.
Budde didn't stop there. In her speech, she also implored Trump to reconsider the way he treats and talks about migrants living in the US. 'They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,' she said.
Budde could have been taking sweep at the host of executive orders Trump has already issued, in an aim to crack down on immigration. One order tackles the definition of birthright citizenship, while another declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency. It's well-known that Trump has promised to tighten the US-Mexico border.
Immediately, lots of people started searching for Budde on Google, and took to social media to share their thoughts on her speech. One X user wrote 'This is Marianne Budde, a bishop. In just two minutes, she shows what it truly means to “take a stand.' Another agreed, writing 'Bishop Marianne Budd is a Hero!' A third wrote 'May we all pause to praise Bishop Mariann Budde. Once again, a strong woman - as men lurked in the shadows - took on the despotic president, in a spiritual confrontational that had more moral and ethical teeth than anything since Harris took Trump down in their debate.'
Budde, who supported the Obama campaign, already has a history of criticising Trump. She has previously called him 'antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that we as a church stand for.'
Once again, Budde has proven herself as a breath of fresh air. Those who watched the inauguration will have seen Trump surrounded by tech bros, including his well established friend and advisor Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. At least 13 billionaires are set to have government posts under the new president, with his expected cabinet worth at least $7bn. It makes for bleak reading for women. Tech-bros are pretty well known for spreading anti-feminist views, and a second Trump presidency will likely embolden misogyny - just take Mark Zuckerberg, who last week said that companies need more 'masculine energy.'
That's why it's so important women like Budde continue to speak out and hold this power to account. More of this in 2025, please. It's going to be an interesting four years, but the world needs to hear the voices of strong women like Budde now more than ever. Here's to many more.