Rep. Kim mocked on Twitter for donating suit he wore on Jan 6 to Smithsonian
Thomas McDonald
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Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) received mixed reactions to his tweet claiming he was donating the suit he wore on Jan. 6 to the Smithsonian Museum to ensure that date is “never forgotten.”
“6 months ago today I wore this blue suit as I cleaned the Capitol after the insurrection, now I just donated it to the Smithsonian. Jan6 must never be forgotten. While some try to erase history, I will fight to tell the story so it never happens again. Here is one story…” Kim tweeted, along with a photo of him holding up a blue suit.
Kim posted a 17 tweet thread detailing the times he wore the suit, claiming he also wore it on Jan. 13 while casting his vote for impeachment of former President Donald Trump. “I wore it so I would have no doubt about the truth of what happened,” the Congressman wrote.
“When I got home I vowed to never wear the suit again,” Kim continued. I even considered throwing it away. It only brought back terrible memories. I could never separate that suit from the events of Jan6. I hid it in my closet as I never wanted to see it again.”
Kim goes on to say that in the following days after Jan. 6, he received letters and cards from people all across the country, mostly children, “thanking” him for his role in helping to clean up the mess left behind in the aftermath of the Capitol Hill riot. “Strangers who wanted to tell me how they felt when they saw the photo of me. They talked about the blue suit. The suit meant something different to them than it did to me.”
“People wrote saying the blue suit gave them a sense of resilience and hope,” Kim wrote.
“The Smithsonian called later in January. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about how the day would be remembered as I was still living it. In fact, after the call, I had to pull over on the side of I-95 as I started to tear up uncontrollably while driving home. I was still not ok,” Kim continued.
“I told the Smithsonian yes to donating the blue suit because the telling of the story of Jan6 isn’t optional, it is necessary,” Kim adds. He says many are trying to “erase” what happened but contends that “you can’t turn the page of American history until you write the page first.”
Kim ends the thread by saying it’ll be “surreal” to one day show his kids his blue suit in the Smithsonian and hopes they learn the “truth” about what happened on that day.
Some reactions to Kim’s tweet thread were supportive of his decision to donate the blue suit. Others took the opportunity to mock the Congressman mercilessly.
“The second most famous blue dress in Washington DC history,” said Ron Coleman.
“Children’s book “The Blue Suit” shortly to follow. I think Andy soiled his boxer briefs,” replied Buzz Patterson.
“Read your post. Great. Now imagine all those who had businesses burned or looted, or loved ones murdered during antifa and BLM riots. You DC politicos are so self-absorbed. You only react when it touches your place of work. Empathy.. BS,” replied another.
“Vanity is not a redeeming quality to own. Made it all about you didnt ya? I will never let them forget? you mean…the most pitiful excuse for an insurrection I’ve ever seen? The only gun was used to kill an unarmed American Veteran woman. Insurrection lol. It was murder,” said another.
“Omg that broken chair is jerked then World Trade Center building 7 came down! I’m having. Flashbacks. O. My god. I need a Valium…..” Replied another user in response to Kim’s photo of a broken chair.
“To be fair, the suit can be sent to the lost and found box in the Smithsonian. You are a nobody and you work for us. You and your staff are rather unintelligent if you think this messaging resonates with anyone,” replied Jason Roberge.
“Thank you @AndyKimNJ! Your actions showed grace and dignity, we need more people representing us like you!!” Said one supporter.
“It was an honor to do this artwork for you, and it was also very special to speak with you in the following days. Thank you for everything you’ve done for our country!” Replied another user who claims to have drawn the artwork Kim shared.
“I think you’re just the person to tell those heroic stories. I see a series of children’s books telling all the stories of the heroes of 01/06. (Then you can do a series about those who planned, attempted to carry out the insurrection & overthrow results of a free & fair election,” said another.