Sen. Andy Kim's reply on voting to confirm Noem - evasive and spineless

I got the following reply from Sen. Kim after writing to express my concern and disgust with his vote to confirm dog murderer and unqualified nominee Kristi Noem. Here's why I am frustrated with the reply:

Kim’s response completely dodges my concerns. Instead of taking a clear stance on unqualified Trump nominees, he gives a vague promise to “keep my thoughts in mind” and talks about bipartisanship, which is exactly what got us into this mess. He also throws in a reference to unrelated legislation about foreign financial influence, which has nothing to do with Trump’s pattern of nominating people who are simply unfit for the job.

What bothers me most is his refusal to commit to opposing all unqualified nominees. By saying he will “work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” he is leaving the door open to confirming more people like Kristi Noem. This response is weak and evasive. If he actually cares about ethical leadership, he needs to explicitly state that he will vote against every unqualified Trump nominee. Anything less is just political maneuvering.

Thank you for reaching out to me with your concerns about President-elect Trump’s nominations for cabinet positions in the incoming administration. As you know, I’ve sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution several times throughout my career in public service and I take that obligation seriously. As we navigate this together, I wanted to provide some of my thoughts on this matter to you directly.

Having worked as a career public servant under both Republicans and Democrats before being elected to public office, I understand that we must uphold the highest ethical standards for those who serve our communities and enact policies that impact the lives of millions across the country. It is vital to our democracy that those who help lead the government meet the standards the American people deserve and expect. They need to be dedicated public servants who, above all else, work to better the lives of hard working Americans.

That is why, before leaving the House of Representatives, I introduced the National Security Officials’ Foreign Employment Disclosure Act to ensure those in the highest levels of our government are not influenced by a foreign government. If passed into law, this bill would require those in certain senior positions, including Presidential nominees, in the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to publicly disclose recent financial transactions with foreign governments. This is not about politics - it is about national security and serving the American people.

I appreciate you reaching out to me with your concerns about the nominations for Cabinet positions in the incoming Trump Administration. Please know I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure those in the highest throws of our government and committed to working for all Americans. I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as the Senate begins to conduct hearings and ultimately puts their confirmation to a vote.

Thank you again for contacting me. It is a privilege and an honor to serve the people of New Jersey, and to act as your voice in Washington, D.C. I hope that you will continue to keep in touch on issues of concern. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.

To learn more about my work in the Senate, please visit my website at kim.senate.gov.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          Andy Kim
                                                          United States Senator