Two Catholic Bishops Regret Trump Oval Office Prayer Meeting, Saying They Were Exploited for Political Purposes
Two of the 12 Catholic clergy who prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last Thursday now say the meeting was manipulated and exploited for partisan political purposes - and that they did not know it was being recorded or give permission for the images to be released, less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
Two Catholic bishops have expressed regret over attending a meeting with 10 other prelates and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, saying they were "exploited" and "manipulated," CNN reported. Photos and video of the 12 clergy members praying over the president were released on Thursday, less than two weeks before the midterm elections; the images show the clergy praying around Trump, his head bowed at the Oval Office desk.
Archbishop of Milwaukee Jeffrey Grob said afterward that the meeting had been manipulated, that he was unaware the meeting was being recorded, and that the bishops did not give permission for the public distribution of the footage and images. "To begin, the meeting was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party," Grob said in a statement. He said he soon began receiving messages of serious concern that he had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election: "I did not go [to the meeting] without reservations. I wish I had heeded them. Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done."
Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines said he felt the meeting had been "exploited" for "partisan political purposes" and wished he had done things differently. "I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple," he said. "I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels." CNN noted the White House image contrasts with Pope Leo XIV's care to avoid political partisanship - the first American pope has insisted bishops avoid it - and that the pope's decision not to visit the United States in 2026 was in large part due to the midterms.
Trump's longtime faith adviser Paula White-Cain attended the meeting. Trump said afterward: "It was a great meeting. Well, they prayed. They mostly prayed. It was actually a very nice meeting. They're great." White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers did not respond to CNN's question about whether the clergy had cleared the use of their images, instead sending a statement saying, "There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump," citing expanded religious rights and his pardoning of anti-abortion activists.
