WASHINGTON, D.C. NEWS – National Cathedral rebukes Trump’s “Bloodshed” remarks, warns of fear-driven policing

Faith leaders at Washington’s National Cathedral have condemned President Donald Trump’s portrayal of D.C. as a city overrun by “bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor,” warning that such rhetoric fuels fear, heightens the risk of indiscriminate arrests, and encourages excessive force. In a statement titled “Fear is not a Strategy for Safety,” Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, joined by leaders from Jewish, Lutheran, and Methodist congregations, urged political leaders to reject fear-based governance in favor of dignity, compassion, and fact-based solutions.

National Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith said Trump’s language misrepresents the city’s realities and dehumanizes vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless, many of whom face addiction or mental illness. “We’re not overrun by violent gangs or bloodthirsty criminals,” Hollerith said, emphasizing that safety can be pursued without fostering “fear of the other.” The statement comes amid heightened federal law enforcement presence in the capital and intensifying debate over Trump’s intervention in D.C. policing.