New Jersey Representative Andy Kim Helps Clean Up Capitol Following Riot
Photos taken following the riot at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Wednesday show New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim helping to clean up the scene.
Kim's effort reportedly came in the wee hours of Thursday morning, after the joint session resumed its meeting to confirm the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.
Kim's fellow NJ Democratic Representative Tom Malinowski tells apnews.com, “I think it was 1 in the morning. There were a couple National Guardsman and I noticed somebody on his hands and knees leaning under a bench to pick something up and it was Andy all by himself, just quietly removing debris and putting it in a plastic bag. He was clearly not doing it for an audience."
Everything from water bottles, to pizza boxes, to American flags littered the halls and the rotunda of the Capitol after scores of pro-Trump protesters stormed the building, breaking through barricades and windows, and into congressional and senatorial offices. Four people reportedly died as a result of the mayhem, including a Capitol Police Guard.
Rep. Kim (D) reportedly says, “When you see something you love that’s broken you want to fix it. I love the Capitol. I‘m honored to be there. This building is extraordinary and the rotunda in particular is just awe-inspiring. How many countless generations have been inspired in that room? It really broke my heart and I just felt compelled to do something. … What else could I do?”
Kim and everyone working in the Capitol on Wednesday must have experienced great fear in not knowing if or how well armed any of the rioters were, and just how far they would get. After one of the longest days in his very short political career, I admire Kim for continuing to serve the people by cleaning up someone else's mess.
SOURCES: apnews.com; Associated Press/YouTube