WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim stood with U.S. Department of State personnel forced out of their jobs during the Trump administration’s mass layoffs at the agency. Senator Kim worked as a diplomat at the State Department prior to serving in Congress. 

Watch Senator Kim’s remarks outside the State Department today

Key quotes from Senator Kim’s video: 

“Every single person when you walk out of those doors for the final time. You should do it with honor and dignity.” 

“This is no way to treat people who have served our nation. Many of them have served in harm’s way or worked in war zones, risked their lives for our country and now being treated with such disrespect.” 

“I hope the American people see, these are not faceless bureaucrats these are people who have risked so much to be able to serve this country.” 

“I’m just feeling so frustrated right now, just seeing so many public servants that are really the best of us, the people that we should be lifting up. Instead, we’re throwing that talent to the side and throwing these experts out and leaving our country less safe.” 

“I really hope we can turn the corner and try to make sure we can restore the State Department and our foreign policy back to what this country deserves and what it needs to be able to keep us safe.” 

Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.  

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