Today, Senator Andy Kim released the following statement in response to recent reporting about President Trump’s politicization of nonpolitical national security roles:
“I was a career non-partisan civil servant detailed to the National Security Council. Never was I asked who I voted for or what political party I associate with. That’s the way it should be. The civil servants that serve at the NSC are of the highest caliber with extraordinary expertise. The last place that partisan politics belongs is in the Situation Room. Politicizing our national security will only make us less safe.”
Senator Kim is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP); the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Special Committee on Aging. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate, Kim represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House and was a career public servant working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Learn more about Senator Kim’s service on behalf of New Jersey here.
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Former National Security Council official Fiona Hill recently criticized President Trump for politicizing the roles of civil servants on the National Security Council (NSC). Hill, who served as the senior director for European and Russian affairs on the NSC, spoke out against the president’s decision to remove Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Ambassador Gordon Sondland from their positions following their testimonies in the impeachment inquiry.
In an interview with NPR, Hill expressed her concerns about the president’s actions, stating that they send a dangerous message to civil servants who are tasked with providing objective analysis and advice on national security matters. She argued that by removing individuals who have differing opinions or who speak out against the administration, Trump is undermining the integrity of the NSC and politicizing a traditionally non-partisan role.
Hill also criticized the president for his lack of respect for the expertise and experience of career civil servants, noting that their input is crucial in shaping effective national security policies. She emphasized the importance of having a diverse range of perspectives within the NSC in order to make well-informed decisions that benefit the country as a whole.
The politicization of the NSC is not a new phenomenon, as previous administrations have also been accused of using the council for political purposes. However, Hill’s comments highlight the growing concerns about the Trump administration’s approach to national security and its impact on the effectiveness of the NSC.
As tensions continue to rise between the White House and career civil servants, it is crucial for policymakers and the public to recognize the importance of maintaining a non-partisan approach to national security. By allowing civil servants to provide objective analysis and advice without fear of retribution, the NSC can fulfill its role in protecting the country’s interests and promoting stability on the global stage.
