Oval Office Photos: US Bishops Express Regret Over Trump Meeting
Archbishops Grob and Joensen apologize after images of a prayer session with the President surface two weeks before the November midterm elections.
By Jabari Long ·
Two American Catholic bishops have apologized for meeting President Donald Trump at the White House.
The regret comes after photos and video of the October 22 gathering were released to the public. The images show a group of religious leaders standing around the President at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee, who appeared in the footage, stated that he believed the visit was private. He said he did not expect it to become a political photo opportunity. Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, agreed with his colleague's sentiment. Joensen said the meeting was organized by the White House Faith Office to discuss immigration, clergy visas, and the exploitation of vulnerable poor persons.
Joensen wrote that no one involved intended to endorse a specific political party or candidate. He added that he wished he had been more shrewd and less simple. He noted that others exploited the meeting for partisan purposes.
Margo Martin, a special assistant to the President and communications adviser, released the video. She frequently shares behind-the-scenes images of the President on social media. Grob explained that after 90 minutes of meetings with officials, the religious leaders were brought into the Oval Office to pray with Trump.
Grob said he soon received messages of serious concern from his congregants. He feared he had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election. He also heard from people who felt wounded because of how the President's policies had harmed them or their families. Grob stated that none of the participants gave permission for the public distribution of the photos or video.
The White House did not directly address questions about the meeting or the bishops' comments when contacted by reporters. However, White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers issued a statement. She said there has never been a greater President for Catholic Americans than Donald Trump. She added that his strong record proves this point.
Recent data from the Pew Research Center shows a shift in opinion among religious groups. In a survey this month, 30% of US Catholics approved of the President's job performance. That is down from 47% when he returned to the White House in 2025. The survey suggests this shift could impact the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Among Catholics, 42% said they preferred the Democrats running in their local House of Representatives races. Slightly less, 39%, favored the Republicans in those races. This comes as the administration faces ongoing tensions with the Vatican over immigration policy.
Pope Leo XIV and the President have maintained a contentious relationship. The administration has moved aggressively to remove people believed to be in the US illegally. Nine days before the Oval Office meeting, Bishop Brendon Cahill and Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, issued a statement. They urged Christian compassion and wisdom in the immigration debate, citing fear, fractured families, and deprivation of due process.
