Catholic bishops accuse Trump White House of turning prayer into campaign photo op
Summary
Two Catholic bishops said they regretted praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office after the White House posted images and video of the meeting shortly before the November 3 U.S. elections. They said they had not intended to endorse a candidate and had not agreed to the prayer being recorded or shared publicly.Key Facts
- Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines issued separate statements expressing regret.
- Grob said the bishops expected a private discussion about immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas and human dignity.
- Grob said the Heritage Foundation arranged the meeting and that no one told the bishops a video was being recorded.
- Joensen said the meeting also covered fertility treatment incentives, abortion-inducing drugs and tax credits for private schools.
- Archbishop James Golka said he understood why viewers might see the video as an endorsement, but said that was not his intention.
- Bishop Scott Bullock said a Heritage Foundation representative invited him and that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was aware of the meeting.
- The article says Trump established a White House Faith Office by executive order in February 2025.
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