JERSEY CITY, NJ – As the Trump Administration continues to threaten FEMA and other programs New Jersey relies on, Senator Andy Kim spent this week on the ground meeting with community organizers, first responders fighting the Jones Road wildfire, and communities that continue to grapple with the Trump Administrations repeated abuses of power and gross overreach.

“Every time I come back home, I hear more stories from New Jerseyans who are panicked about what is happening; there is real fear about what comes next because of the choices that Donald Trump and Republicans are making,” said Senator Andy Kim. “Whether it was the disability community, first responders, or the hundreds who came to town halls this week, the message has been overwhelming – Trump’s Administration is hurting real people and as Democrats, we must find a way to combat this overreach; our communities are relying on us.”

Senator Kim started the week in Camden where he spoke with residents and small business owners while walking through the Waterfront South neighborhood, a neighborhood that has been impacted by the repeated fires at the at the EMR Recycling Center. They offered Senator Kim a firsthand look at the danger that businesses and homes find themselves in living and working so close and discussed how to cut down on these blazes while ensuring the recycling center is investing in and following safety protocols. 

“Senator Kim’s visit helped solidify the work that we already do as an artivist organization which is to deepen relationships with people in our community. However, hearing people who I have known for years express their appreciation at simply “being heard” tells me we have a lot more work to do in uplifting community stories,” said Asiyah Kurtz, Executive Director, Camden FireWorks. “I am glad that Senator Kim got to witness the care that we provide for each other as we use our communal power for good. Now, the real work of environmental justice must be activated at the state level.”

The Senator then spent Tuesday evening back at his alma mater, Cherry Hill High School East for his 87th town hall. He heard from the community about Trump’s efforts to slash public education and put their health at risk while imposing tariffs and enacting mass deportations. Senator Kim acknowledged that while change is a good thing, chaos is something entirely different. He then discussed ways that we can begin mending our democracy and moving forward in the face of chaos and uncertainty.

On Wednesday, Senator Kim started the day in Trenton meeting with Reverend Boyer and the Trenton Community Street Team (TCST) to discuss hunger challenges in the city and their food assistance program that helps the local community. He then met with Disability Rights NJ to discuss why Medicaid must be protected and how access to Medicaid makes it possible for the Disability community to live independently. Just last month, Senator Kim filed multiple amendments to the budget bill to prevent cuts to Medicaid, all were voted down by Republicans in the Senate. To round out the day on Wednesday, he met with business leaders from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

On Thursday, Senator Kim spoke with seniors who rely on Medicare and Social Security about how cuts to these programs would affect their ability to pay their bills and get their medications. He then traveled with Congressman Rob Menendez to do a surprise inspection of the ICE detention center in Elizabeth, NJ. They were able to speak with Karim Daoud, a local resident who was detained by ICE despite having no criminal history. Senator Kim then made his way for a surprise visit to Ocean County where the Jones Road Wildfire had been raging. He was able to survey damage and speak with first responders and local law enforcement before it was announced that NJ would receive an emergency FEMA grant from the Federal government.

Senator Kim rounded out his week in New Jersey by hosting a roundtable discussion with AAPI leaders from across the state and members of the Hudson Nepalese community. Throughout the conversation, Senator Kim heard about their concerns regarding immigration, tariffs, concerns for workers here in the United States, and threats to the TPS community. He then held his 88th town hall in Chatham, New Jersey where constituents conveyed their concerns about what Trump is doing in Washington, and asked Senator Kim what pieces of legislation he could support to help protect communities across New Jersey.   

Senator Kim serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. He is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon.

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