The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, was seething.
The president of the United States had just visited St. John’s Episcopal Church, across from the White House, a day after a fire was set in the church basement amid protests over the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police.
Before heading to the church, where presidents have worshiped since the days of James Madison, President Trump gave a speech at the White House emphasizing the importance of law and order.
Federal police officers then used force to clear a large crowd of peaceful demonstrators from the street between the White House and the church, apparently so Trump could make the visit.
“I am outraged,” Budde said in a telephone interview a short time later, pausing between words to emphasize her anger as her voice slightly trembled.