Senator Andy Kim urged residents at a packed town hall in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey to engage in politics as a way to counter President Donald Trump’s agenda. The freshman Democrat kicked off a tour of Republican-held House districts by visiting a town near Atlantic City, where Trump’s casino empire once stood. Kim emphasized the importance of staying involved and working together to create a movement capable of mobilizing for change.
During the Q&A session at a Teamsters union hall, attendees expressed concerns about government agency cuts and potential Medicaid reductions. One emotional moment occurred when a mother worried about her son with Down syndrome losing Medicaid coverage spoke out, prompting Kim to offer her a comforting hug.
While Democrats grapple with finding a strategy to oppose the president’s policies, Kim highlighted the importance of legal challenges and criticized the administration’s use of power. Some attendees urged Democrats to push back more forcefully, pointing to concerns about the erosion of norms and behavior in politics.
Not everyone present expressed frustration towards the administration. A man wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat questioned Kim about his lack of applause during Trump’s recent speech to Congress. Kim explained that he only clapped when a child with cancer was recognized, citing a perceived tone of disrespect set by the president.
Kim, who was elected in a district Trump won, emphasized the need for active civic engagement. The town hall, which had an estimated capacity of 150, drew a large crowd with some attendees watching outside on their phones due to limited space.
