Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links).
Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde rattled President Donald Trump during his big inauguration week by making a plea for “mercy” as his administration began mass deportations and rolled back legislative protections in a flurry of executive orders.
“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. We’re scared,” said Budde, during the inaugural prayer at Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Budde told Trump, “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives and the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings who labor and poultry farms and meat packing plants who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals.”
She added, “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.”
Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie called the address to the president Trump an “absolute profile in courage.” She added, “I know that MAGA loves to feed off people’s fear and that’s what gets them excited, but it is people like her that are modeling how you stand up to these people.”
“If you watch that clip, it tells you everything you need to know about them just from their facial reactions,” said producer Seamus Calder. “JD Vance looks offended that this is happening and very, very angry. Donald Trump looks clueless and bored. My favorite is Tiffany Trump, who just has the, ‘Oh, my God. Is she really doing this face? How dare she.’”
Co-host Andy Levy added, “All you need to know is she gave a speech, a sermon, rather asking the president to be compassionate, asking him to show mercy to people, and they are very mad about that. They’re very mad at the ideas of compassion and mercy.”
Plus! Political scientist Jules Boykoff, author of What Are the Olympics For?, explores the intersection between sports and politics.
Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links).
