Andy Kim Profile picture
Apr 10, 2021 14 tweets 5 min read Read on X
5 years ago this week, I walked my family into the Oval Office. I watched my immigrant mom speechless as she shook hands with Pres Obama while he held my 6 m/o baby boy. Three generations of my family in the Oval with the President. I kept thinking “This is America”(THREAD)
That was the last time I was in the White House. The first time I entered that sacred building was when my mother took me as a boy. She taught me two things: 1) This house belongs to the people and 2) this building (and our democracy) is bigger than any of us. 2/14
PEOPLE’S HOUSE: I remember how proud my mom was that as an immigrant she was able to walk us into the White House. We wandered the Rose Garden. I felt connected to my government. I wasn’t intimidated, I was invited. I wasn’t excluded, instead I felt welcomed to participate. 3/14
That sense of participation stuck with me years later when I started work at the White House. The first time I ever stepped foot in OvalOffice I was so nervous, but I remembered I was invited. I had something to contribute. As an American, this building belongs to all of us. 4/14
BIGGER THAN US: During that first visit as a child, my mom bought me this medallion marking 200 yrs of Presidency. As a 7 yr old, that seemed like an impossibly big number. I tied this to my bedpost growing up. I proudly hung it by my desk when I worked there 24 yrs later. 5/14
I carried forward that sense of awe and respect, even through small gestures. I kept a pair of pristine black shoes under my desk that I would only wear when called into Oval Office. I wanted to treat that room differently. The White House demands and deserves our respect. 6/14
I was heartbroken when I saw the White House disrespected and used as a political prop. I took part in 3 events on South Lawn. Sept 11 memorial, July4 celebration and arrival ceremony for Head of State visit. That is sacred ground. Campaigning has no place at White House. 7/14
The White House is more than a symbol. It is the physical manifestation of Article 2 of Constitution with its power derived from the American people. The building is bigger than any of us, bigger than our political parties, bigger than any President who occupies it. 8/14
In this era of growing authoritarianism around the globe it’s more important than ever that we protect and reinforce the institutions of our democracy. After insurrection, we know we are not immune to this threat and Georgia voter suppression law shows attacks continue. 9/14
How do we fight against the rising authoritarianism and stop the erosion of our democracy here at home? The counterweight to authoritarianism is engraved in the very ceiling of the Oval Office. 10/14
When I first walked into the Oval, it felt so familiar from all the movies and photos I’ve seen. I felt like I knew every inch of the room. But being there in person, I noticed one thing I never knew existed - a large seal of Presidency carved in the ceiling above. 11/14
E PLURIBUS UNUM - Out of Many, One. Those are the words hanging over every President in the most powerful room in the world. It is inscribed in the medallion my mom bought me. Those are the President’s instructions - protect the plurality. 12/14
PROTECT THE PLURALITY: If authoritarianism is inversion of E Pluribus Unum, an attack on plurality and power of Citizen, then we must focus on strengthening civic life. Protect right to vote, demand transparency, fight corruption, counter disinformation, ensure diversity. 13/14
I can’t wait to step foot in the White House again and hopefully walk into the Oval Office to greet the President. When I do, I hope to tell President Biden, or any President for that matter, to look up. E Pluribus Unum. This is America. END

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More from @AndyKimNJ

Mar 1
This is the most telling photo I’ve seen — Trump/Vance berating a wartime leader fighting against invasion directly in front of a bust of Churchill. It looks like Churchill is seated in the back, watching Trump kill the very US-Europe alliance that Churchill helped forge. THREAD Image
Why was the Oval Office exchange so humiliating to watch? It’s because every American alive today was born after the Greatest Generation led America’s rise to global leadership. What we saw yesterday was a surrender that could very well lead to American decline. 2/10 Image
What we saw was a retreat from three basic pillars of American leadership: reliability, values, and impact. These are pillars that have been built over generations - from Americans landing on the beaches of Normandy onwards. 3/10 Image
Read 10 tweets
Feb 3
As Trump and Musk gut USAID today, I think back to my first day ever working for the US gov, showing up at the Reagan Building to start at USAID. Shame on them for demonizing Americans who are serving our nation, often in difficult and dangerous places. THREAD Image
We can have a policy debate about how much to spend internationally or what programs to fund, but their hate and paranoia towards other Americans go much deeper. I’m proud I worked at USAID. 2/8
I worked in USAID/Africa bureau where we helped rehabilitate former child soldiers in Uganda, helped with an emerging famine in Malawi. Trump admin complains about China’s growing influence in Africa but then shuts down one of our best tools to fight this. 3/8
Read 8 tweets
Jan 21
I just talked to the family of Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed on Jan 6. He grew up in NJ, served his nation, but was assaulted and killed. His assailants sentenced to prison until pardoned by Trump. Let us lift up Sicknick’s name and memory: THREAD Image
Officer Sicknick’s family’s pain today was so deep. That Trump used his first hours in office pardoning so many involved in that attack on the Capitol including the two of the assailants that attacked Officer Sicknick. It was a betrayal. 2/7 Image
Let’s lift up Officer Sicknick’s name. Let’s remind everyone that an officer was attacked and killed that day. Sicknick laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda, honored by our nation as lawmakers from BOTH sides of the aisle, and now those who killed him are free. 3/7 Image
Read 7 tweets
Jan 13
I’ve been asked what it means to be 1st Korean American Senator. On this Korean American day, I want to share a photo of the home where my mom grew up during Korean War. America opened its doors and helped her become a nurse. Last week she stood with me as I was sworn in. THREAD Image
And it isn’t just my mom’s story. Over 120 yrs since the first Koreans came to America. Now there are 2 million Korean Americans. 24 million Asian Americans. Asian Americans are not monolithic. 

I of course do not speak for all, nor is my story and experience reflective of all. 2/10Image
In fact I’ve struggled with my identity over my life. At times I resisted the label Korean/Asian American and snapped back with “I’m just American.” 

I never would have imagined that Korean culture would become hugely popular between BTS, Squid Game, Korean BBQ, K-dramas etc. 3/10Image
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Read 10 tweets
Jan 6
I’m walking through the Capitol this morning and took some photos in the same spots as what we saw 4 years ago Image
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Read 9 tweets
Dec 21, 2024
Many in north/central NJ are worried about odor/taste of water coming out of the tap. As a father of two boys, I absolutely understand your worries. I talked with heads of NJ Dept of Environmental Protection and American Water.

Here are 4 key questions I asked: THREAD Image
IS THE WATER SAFE? 

DEP/American Water report that water is well within NJ standards, which are some of the strictest in nation. They test for 100s of kinds of metals/ chemical compounds. Results are either non-detection or very low and far below levels of health concerns. 2/10
DO WE KNOW SOURCE OF ODOR/TASTE?

I completely understand if that explanation of water safety is not totally reassuring to those of you that smell/taste something wrong. You have a right to be concerned. Absolute key is identifying what is the compound that is causing the odor. 3/10
Read 10 tweets

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