Archbishops Grob and Joensen Regret White House Meeting with Trump

Two U.S. Catholic bishops stated on 26 October that they regret meeting President Donald Trump at the White House, a decision prompted by the public release of images showing the group praying with the president. The disclosure occurred less than two weeks before the 3 November midterm elections, raising questions about the political messaging of the encounter.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, clarified that the gathering was intended as a private discussion. Joensen noted that White House Faith Office officials arranged the session to address immigration, clergy visas, and the treatment of vulnerable populations. He stated that no participant intended to endorse a specific political party or candidate, criticizing those who used the event for partisan purposes.

The controversy intensified after Margo Martin, a presidential special assistant, shared video and photos of the 22 October meeting on social media. Grob explained that after 90 minutes of talks with officials, the bishops were moved to the Oval Office to pray with Trump. He reported receiving messages from congregants who felt wounded by the president's policies and concerned that their leader had inadvertently joined a political event.

The timing of the meeting coincided with a measurable shift in Catholic voter support. Pew Research Center data from this month shows that 30% of U.S. Catholics now approve of Trump's job performance, down from 47% when he returned to office in 2025. In the same survey, 42% of Catholics indicated a preference for Democratic candidates in their local House races, compared to 39% who favored Republicans.

This development occurs against a backdrop of tension between the administration and the Catholic hierarchy. The relationship between Trump and Pope Leo XIV has been contentious, particularly regarding aggressive immigration enforcement. Recently, Bishops Brendon Cahill and Walter Kim of the National Association of Evangelicals issued a joint statement urging compassion in immigration debates. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also criticized the administration's plan to livestream a military execution, a proposal that was later withdrawn.

White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers responded to the bishops' comments with a statement praising Trump's record. She asserted that he has been the greatest president for Catholic Americans. The administration did not directly address the bishops' specific claims regarding the private nature of the meeting or the lack of permission for media distribution.

Several high-ranking Catholics in the administration have maintained close ties to the Vatican. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both visited the Vatican during Trump's second term. Additionally, Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota and former New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan serve on the president's Religious Liberty Commission.