Bishops Say They Didn’t Give Permission for White House to Use Photos of Them With Trump

Two Catholic bishops claimed that photos of them at a gathering with President Donald Trump were released by the White House without their consent.

On Thursday, Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines, Iowa, Bishop William Joensen joined 10 other bishops for a meeting with Trump.

In a statement on Sunday titled “A Public Apology,” Milwaukee Archbishop Grob expressed regret about the photos with Trump after receiving many questions and comments about the images. He says the meeting was speedily publicized by the White House with photos and a video, without consent of the participants, and less than two weeks away from the midterm elections.

“Permission for the public distribution or posting of either the video or photos was not given by the bishops,” Archbishop Grob says in the apology.

Catholic Archbishops and Bishops pray with President Trump in the Oval Office ❤️ https://t.co/facV5wTGQQ

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 22, 2026

Archbishop Grob alleges the meeting was speedily publicized by the White House with photos and a video, without consent of the participants, and less than two weeks away from the midterm elections.

“It did not take long thereafter for the White House to post a video and photos of the prayer,” he states in the statement. “I soon began receiving messages of serious concern over the possibility that I had inadvertently participated in a political event less than two weeks before a national election. I also heard from some who felt wounded because of the ways they or their family had been harmed by the president’s policies.”

‘I Wish I had Been More Shrewd’

According to a report by AP News, Des Moines Bishop Joensen also issued a statement making clear he felt the White House had taken advantage of the bishops with the photos.

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose,” Bishop Joensen writes. “I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels.”

Asked whether the White House had or hadn’t received the bishop’s consent for releasing the photos and video, the press office declined to answer that question. Instead, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers replied, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”

The bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, William Joensen, also issued a statement making clear he felt the White House had taken advantage of the bishops.

“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose,” he writes. “I pray I am more prudent and wise going forward, even as I remain resolute in my openness to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels.”

When AP News asked whether the White House had obtained the bishops’ consent to release the photos and video, the press office declined to answer. Instead, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers replied, “There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it.”