Congressman Andy Kim stays up until 3 a.m. to help clean Capitol Hill after riots

Congressman Andy Kim was seen picking up the garbage left behind by MAGA terrorists. After a mob incited by Donald Trump stormed Capitol Hill, the federal building was trashed by MAGA rioters who destroyed as much as they could. The floor of the capital was littered with shattered glass, broken furniture, Trump flags, pieces of body armor, and clothing among other things. A photo of a democratic Congressperson staying back to help clean up the mess has gone viral, reported ABC News. Andy Kim, a representative from New Jersey, was not in Capitol Hill when the insurrection happened. He was in a nearby federal building but he was shocked to see the sacred space of American democracy being trampled and desecrated by domestic terrorists when he got there around midnight. He described Capitol Hill as the "heart of the country."  He was seen helping clear the debris and garbage on Thursday morning.

Andy Kim helped police officers and other Capitol Hill staff to clear up the mess. "I was just really affected emotionally. I felt this kind of heightened, kind of supercharged kind of patriotism that I just felt take over," said the congressman in an interview with The Associated Press. "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?" He was heartbroken to see what MAGA rioters had done to the American democracy and the building. "It really broke my heart and I just felt compelled to do something. What else could I do?"

The attempted coup by Trump supporters caused the death of five individuals including a police officer, who was smashed in the head with a fire extinguisher by a MAGA rioter. The Capitol Police failed in stopping the insurrection. The national guard arrived too late, which endangered the lives of lawmakers who were about to certify Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election. 

New Jersey Representative Tom Malinowski was stunned to see Kim helping out and didn't recognize him at first. "I think it was 1 in the morning," said New Jersey Representative Tom Malinowski. "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." It was a moment that offered hope to Tom Malinowski on a day American democracy was dragged through the mud. "It was, for me," Malinowski added, "the most poignant moment of the long night." Governor Phil Murphy was proud of Andy Kim and said he "represents the very best of New Jersey and our nation."

Andy Kim has never taken his position as a Congressperson for granted. “I feel blessed to have this opportunity as a son of immigrants to be able to serve in Congress,” he said. “Democracy to me is this place of opportunity that is affording me a chance to do something extraordinary.” He became the first Asian American to represent New Jersey in Congress, in 2018. He won his race in 2020 as well. “I represent a district where the vast majority of people do not look like me,” said Kim, reported NBC News. “But they’ve voted for me twice now to be their representative, and that’s a beautiful thing. There are others who seek to make me seem like an 'other' whether it’s because of skin color, or gender, or sexuality. But that’s not what this is about. We’re all Americans.” After he helped out with cleaning the building, he returned to the House floor to debate Pennsylvania's vote count. Biden was certified as the winner of the Presidential election. The session had gone on until 3 am and by Thursday evening, Andy Kim hadn't slept for more than 36 hours.