The search results provide relevant information, but do not confirm that a “Bishop Who Attacked Trump” was “Caught Taking $53 Million from Immigrant Resettlement Fund.”
Here’s what the search results do indicate:
- Bishop Mariann Budde: She is an Episcopal bishop who has publicly criticized Donald Trump, notably during his inaugural prayer service in January 2025, when she called for mercy for scared immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.1 Trump subsequently called her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.”
- Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM): This is the federal contracting arm of the Episcopal Church involved in refugee resettlement.2
- Funding and Accusations of Self-Interest: There are op-eds and statements from January/February 2025 (e.g., from Don Barnett at CIS.org, and remarks from VP JD Vance) that accuse the Episcopal Church (and Catholic bishops, generally) of being “paid to bring in people on resettlement programs” and question if their pro-immigrant stance is motivated by “their bottom line” due to receiving “taxpayer millions” or “over $100 million” in federal contracts for resettlement.
- No specific $53 Million Figure: The figure of “$53 million” is not directly associated with any specific bishop being “caught taking” it. The criticisms mention “taxpayer millions” or “over $100 million” for resettlement programs received by organizations like EMM or the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), not a single bishop.
- No “Caught Taking” or Misappropriation: The accusations are generally about the receipt of federal funds for legitimate resettlement programs and the implication of hypocrisy or financial motivation, not about a bishop being “caught taking” or embezzling funds. In fact, audited financials for the USCCB (the larger organization) for 2022 and 2023 show they spent more on services than they received in government funding, using private funds to cover the difference, directly refuting claims of profiting.3
- Trump Administration Halting Funds: The Trump administration has taken action to halt funding for some of these refugee resettlement contracts, leading to lawsuits from organizations like the USCCB, which claim they are owed millions in reimbursements.4
Conclusion:
The prompt contains elements that are partially true (a bishop criticized Trump, religious organizations receive federal funds for immigrant resettlement, there are accusations of financial motivation for these organizations’ advocacy). However, the core claim of a specific “Bishop” being “Caught Taking $53 Million” (implying misappropriation or theft) is not supported by the search results. The discussions are about the legitimate, albeit debated, flow of federal funds to these organizations for their work, and accusations that the organizations’ advocacy might be financially driven, not about a bishop personally siphoning off millions.
Therefore, I cannot write an article confirming the user’s premise directly. I must address the nuance and state what the information does indicate, while clarifying what it does not support.
I will craft an article that addresses the accusation of financial motivation against religious organizations involved in resettlement (specifically mentioning Episcopal and Catholic groups given the search results), connects it to a bishop who criticized Trump, and clarifies that the “caught taking” part with a specific sum like “$53 million” in a misappropriation context is not substantiated by the provided information.
Confidence Score: 3/5 (Because I can address parts of the prompt – “Bishop Attacked Trump,” “immigrant resettlement fund,” “taking millions” in the context of receiving federal funds for programs – but the “Caught Taking $53 Million” implying illicit activity is not supported.)## Scrutiny Intensifies: Bishop Who Criticized Trump Faces Accusations Over Immigrant Resettlement Funding
WASHINGTON D.C. – A prominent Episcopal bishop, known for her public critiques of President Donald Trump, has become central to a heated debate over federal funding for immigrant resettlement programs. While no evidence has emerged of the bishop personally “taking” funds, conservative commentators and the administration’s allies are raising questions about the financial incentives for religious organizations involved in these government-contracted services.
The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, made headlines in January 2025 for a sermon during an inaugural prayer service where she implored President Trump to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.5 President Trump subsequently lashed out at Budde on social media, labeling her a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.”6
Following this public exchange, focus shifted to the financial ties between religious organizations and federal immigrant resettlement initiatives. The Episcopal Church, through its federal contracting arm, Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM), is one of several faith-based groups that receive taxpayer dollars to assist in the resettlement of legally approved refugees.7
Critics, including conservative op-ed writers and Vice President J.D. Vance, have since questioned whether the advocacy of these religious organizations for continued immigrant and refugee intake is driven by humanitarian concerns or by the substantial federal funds they receive. Vance, in particular, ignited a controversy in January when he publicly questioned if the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)—another major recipient of resettlement funds—was “worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?”
While specific accusations of a single bishop being “caught taking $53 million” in an illicit manner have not been substantiated in public reports, the broader contention revolves around the significant sums, often in the tens to hundreds of millions annually, that these faith-based organizations receive from the government for their resettlement work. These funds are designated for services like housing, food, and job placement for refugees entering the U.S. legally under federal programs.
Religious organizations, including the USCCB and EMM, strongly refute claims that they profit from these programs or are primarily motivated by financial gain. Audited financial statements from the USCCB, for example, indicate that the organization often spends more on these services than it receives from the government, covering the difference with private charitable donations. They maintain that their involvement is a “work of mercy” guided by religious tenets.
Nevertheless, the Trump administration has already moved to significantly curtail funding for these federal refugee resettlement contracts. In February and April 2025, the State Department terminated or suspended agreements with several such groups, including the USCCB, leading to lawsuits from the organizations who claim they are owed millions in reimbursements and that the cuts are unlawful and harmful to vulnerable populations.
The scrutiny on Bishop Budde and the wider network of religious immigrant aid groups underscores a contentious intersection of faith, politics, and federal spending, as the administration continues to challenge long-standing practices in immigration and refugee resettlement.
