Two prominent Catholic bishops in the United States expressed regret about participating in a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House following the release of photographs and video from the encounter. The meeting, which took place on 22 October, showed a group of bishops gathered around Trump at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, both issued statements clarifying their intentions. Grob stated he believed the meeting would remain private and not serve as a political photo opportunity. According to Grob, after approximately 90 minutes of discussions with White House officials, the religious leaders were invited into the Oval Office to pray with the president. Joensen noted the meeting was arranged by White House Faith Office officials to address matters including immigration, clergy visa issues, and exploitation of vulnerable populations. Both bishops emphasized they did not intend their participation to constitute an endorsement of any political party or candidate.
The public nature of the meeting became problematic when communications adviser Margo Martin released video and images through social media. Grob reported receiving messages from congregants expressing concern that he may have inadvertently participated in a political event occurring less than two weeks before midterm elections. He also noted hearing from individuals who felt wounded by the administration’s policies. The bishops indicated they had not authorized the public distribution of any materials from the gathering.
The meeting occurred amid ongoing tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV regarding the administration’s immigration policies. Recent polling data from the Pew Research Center indicated declining approval of Trump among Catholic voters, with 30 percent approving of his job performance in a current survey compared to 47 percent when he returned to office in 2025. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has recently criticized various administration initiatives, including immigration enforcement actions and plans for a military execution livestream. The White House did not directly address the bishops’ concerns when contacted, instead issuing a statement praising Trump’s record with Catholic Americans.
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