House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) took to X on Wednesday to lash out at Episcopalian Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who offended President Donald Trump during her prayer at the Washington National Cathedral.
"There isn't much to be gained by our prayers if we act in ways that further deepen the divisions among us," she said during the prayer. "Our scriptures are quite clear about this, that God is never impressed with prayers when actions are not informed by them. Nor does God spare us from the consequences of our Deeds which always, in the end, matter more than the words we pray."
Johnson slammed Budde over her remarks, joining a chorus of unhappy MAGA allies decrying her plea to Trump.
"Bishop Budde hijacked the National Prayer Service to promote her radical ideology," posted Johnson, a hard-right lawmaker known for embracing Christian nationalism. "This was an opportunity to unify the country in prayer, but she used it to sow division. Even worse, she’s continued her political crusade in media interviews. Shameful."
Many commenters on social media, including conservatives and Christians, were less than impressed with his rebuke.
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"She asked the President of the United States to be 'merciful' and 'compassionate,'" wrote former Tea Party Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), a longtime critic of the MAGA movement. "What’s so 'radical' about that @SpeakerJohnson?"
"How dare she ask for mercy for marginalized and persecuted people, what's next — quoting Jesus Christ? Where does this slippery slope end?" wrote Aaron Fritschner, the deputy chief of staff to Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA).
"@SpeakerJohnson purports to be a Christian, but he’s outraged by the teachings of Christ? Now that’s shameful," wrote retired Air Force colonel and former Congressional candidate Moe Davis.
"According to the Speaker of the House, who is a devout Christian, expressing the sentiment that all of god's children should be treated with humanity is a 'radical ideology,'" wrote MSNBC columnist Michael A. Cohen.
"Quoting Jesus often does anger evil," wrote former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).
"Please explain how exactly she ‘hijacked the National Prayer Service’ when all she talked about was compassion for people," wrote Republicans Against Trump. "You might not agree with her message, but rushing to defend the fragile ego of the orange man is beyond embarrassing."
"The radical ideology of actual Christianity! It seems foreign to you because you’re not Christ-like," wrote former Democratic Party officer Khary Penebaker. "You just like to use religion as a weapon and as a way to make you feel morally superior. But you’re not. You’re not inline with Christ; you’re a lapdog for Trump."
"One of the best gifts my parents gave me was the gift of Catholic education," wrote Congressional staffer John Connolly. "It engrained into me that we should seek mercy for those who are least among us. Bishop Budde words were about mercy. Mercy isn’t a radical idea. If you think that it is, bless your heart."