Bishops Regret Meeting with Trump, Cite Political Exploitation
Two U.S. Catholic bishops expressed regret over a meeting with President Trump, stating they believed it was private and were dismayed by its use for political purposes.
Two Catholic bishops in the U.S. have stated they regret a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, after photographs of them praying with him were released and prompted questions about whether they were making a political statement. The meeting occurred on October 22.
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee, one of the bishops pictured, said he believed the meeting was intended to be private and not a "political photo opportunity." He explained that after a series of meetings with White House officials concerning immigration, clergy visas, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations, the group was ushered into the Oval Office to pray with Trump.
Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, also stated that the meeting was arranged by officials with the White House Faith Office. He emphasized that none of the participants intended to endorse any political party or candidate and that he wished he had been "more shrewd and less simple" in retrospect, citing that others had "exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes."
Archbishop Grob noted that he began receiving messages of concern from congregants who feared he had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election. Some also expressed that they felt wounded due to the impact of the president's policies on their families.
Both bishops stated that they had not given permission for the public distribution or posting of photos or videos from the event. A video of the meeting was released by Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications advisor known for sharing behind-the-scenes images of Trump on social media.
When contacted for comment, the White House issued a statement from spokeswoman Taylor Rogers asserting, "There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it."
Recent polling data indicates a shift in opinions among Catholic voters regarding Trump's performance. A survey conducted this month showed that 30% of U.S. Catholics approved of his job performance, a decrease from 47% when he returned to the White House in 2025. The survey also revealed that more Catholics, 42%, preferred Democratic candidates in their local House of Representatives races, compared to 39% who favored Republicans.
The relationship between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church has seen tensions, particularly concerning immigration policies. Nine days prior to the Oval Office meeting, Bishop Brendon Cahill and Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, issued a joint statement calling for "Christian compassion and wisdom in the immigration debate," citing the administration's clampdown as leading to "fear, the fracturing of families, the deprivation of due process, and the vilification of our neighbors."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had also recently condemned the Trump administration's plans to livestream a military execution, which were later abandoned. Amidst these developments, Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both Catholics, have visited the Vatican during Trump's second term. Additionally, Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota and former Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York agreed to serve on the president's Religious Liberty Commission.