Raymond Knops

Raymond Willem Knops (born 10 November 1971) is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party. He is the State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Rutte III since 26 October 2017

His Excellency Raymond Knops
Raymond Knops in 2018
Acting Minister of the interior and Kingdom Relations
In office 1 November 2019 – 14 April 2020
Prime Minister	Mark Rutte
Preceded by	Kajsa Ollongren
Succeeded by	Kajsa Ollongren
State Secretary for the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 April 2020
In office 26 October 2017 – 1 November 2019
Prime Minister	Mark Rutte
Preceded by	Ank Bijleveld (2010)
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 7 September 2010 – 26 October 2017
In office 1 March 2007 – 17 June 2010
In office 11 October 2005 – 30 November 2006
Parliamentary group	Christian Democratic Appeal
Personal details
Born	Raymond Willem Knops (1971-11-10) 10 November 1971 Hegelsom, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	Christian Democratic Appeal
Children	2 children
Residence	Horst, Netherlands
Alma mater	Royal Military Academy Erasmus University Rotterdam (Bachelor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration)
Occupation	Politician · Military officer
Military service
Allegiance	Netherlands
Branch/service	Royal Netherlands Air Force
Years of service	1995–2000 (Active duty) 2000–2005 (Reserve)
Rank	Colonel
Unit	No. 322 Squadron RNLAF 11th Airmobile Brigade Multi-National Force – Iraq
Battles/wars	War on Terror War in Afghanistan Iraq War

As a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (Christen-Democratisch Appèl) he was an MP from 11 October 2005 to 29 November 2006, from 1 March 2007 to 17 June 2010 and has currently been an MP since 7 September 2010, succeeding Ab Klink. He focuses on matters of political asylum policy and the Dutch defence. Previously he was a member of the municipal council of Horst aan de Maas from 1998 to 2002 and also an alderman from 1999 to 2005.

From 1 November 2019 till 14 April 2020 he was acting Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.