Two Catholic bishops are scrambling to manage optics after a private meeting with President Trump at the White House resulted in images of them praying in the Oval Office.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen issued statements expressing regret over the event, claiming they believed the meeting was private and not intended as a political statement.
The bishops, who met with White House Faith Office officials to discuss immigration and clergy visas, now claim they were 'exploited' after a video of the prayer session was shared by a White House aide. Archbishop Grob admitted that he faced backlash from congregants who were upset by the perceived political association just weeks before an election.
Bishop Joensen echoed these sentiments, stating he wished he had been 'more shrewd' regarding the meeting's potential for public exposure. The White House stood by its record, with spokeswoman Taylor Rogers noting that no president has done more for Catholic Americans than Donald Trump.
While the bishops fret over the political fallout, the administration continues its aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, a policy that has drawn criticism from some religious leaders who advocate for a softer approach.
Despite the bishops' public hand-wringing, the event highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration's firm enforcement policies and the institutional concerns of church leadership.
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