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Collins calls for deportation of bishop who spoke at Trump service
Mike Collins
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins

GEORGIA – Tenth district Congressman Mike Collins is once again under fire for comments he made on social media.

Collins called out Rev. Mariann Budde, the bishop who delivered a sermon during the inaugural prayer service held for newly-elected President Donald Trump. Budde asked Trump and the various members of his team in attendance “for mercy” on a number of issues.

“In the name of our God, I ask you [President Trump] to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde said. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants. Who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts who work in hospitals.

“They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.”

Later that afternoon, Collins took to the social media platform X to denounce Budde’s sermon, calling for her to be deported from the county.

“The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list,” Collins wrote.

Budde is a U.S. citizen who lives in New Jersey, according to multiple reports.

The Covington News reached out to Collins’ team for further context on the now-viral tweet. No further comment was provided as of press time.

Collins has been no stranger to controversy through social media comments in the past. In July, Collins posted on X that former President Joe Biden “sent the orders” in the first assassination attempt against Trump last summer. This drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

However, despite Collins’ social media activity, he has generated recent success in his political work.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Collins-backed “Laken Riley Act” had passed 263-156 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The law is named after former nursing student Laken Riley, who was tragically murdered on the University of Georgia’s campus last February.

“The Laken Riley Act is named after the 22-year-old nursing student killed by an illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia’s campus in February 2024,” a press release stated. “The act gives local law enforcement and ICE the resources to detain and deport illegal immigrants arrested for shoplifting, assault against police officers, and crimes by illegal immigrants that result in death or serious bodily injury. This legislation also allows for states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.”

The act will now go to Trump’s desk, which is expected to be the first legislation that Trump will sign into law in his second term.

Collins was recently reelected for the tenth congressional district seat in November. This seat covers many counties across upper-east Georgia, including some parts of Newton County.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

ehs val and sal
Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher