Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob says a White House video of Catholic bishops praying over President Donald Trump turned what he understood to be a private moment into a public political image—without the bishops’ knowledge or consent. In a public apology posted Sunday, Oct. 25, Grob said he and 11 other bishops had been invited to the White House for a policy discussion and an opportunity to pray privately with Trump. Instead, he said, they were directed to stand behind the president’s desk and pray while the moment was recorded. The video was posted to X on Oct. 22 by Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser. Its release drew criticism in private and on social media, prompting several Catholic leaders to clarify their participation. “The meeting was in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party,” Grob wrote. The episode comes ahead of the midterm elections, when images of religious leaders alongside political figures can carry campaign implications. Grob’s statement sought to draw a clear line between the bishops’ stated purpose—a policy discussion and prayer—and any appearance of political backing. The account provided does not identify the policy topics discussed at the meeting or include a response from the White House to Grob’s claims about how the prayer was arranged and recorded.