Opinion
The Gold Star father of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan’s capital was arrested for interrupting President Biden’s State of the Union address.
Steve Nikoui, Kareem Nikoui’s father, was a guest of Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) Thursday night. Kareem was killed in the 2021 Kabul terror attack.
The attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport during the withdrawal from Afghanistan killed 183 people. Among them were 13 U.S. military service members.
Biden, during his State of the Union address, declared “America is safer today than when I took office.”
This prompted Nikoui to shout back “Abbey Gate” and “United States Marines!”
Abbey Gate is a reference to one of the airport gates where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt.
Biden lies with a straight face.
“Steve Nikoui arrested for interrupting Biden tonight, shouting “Abbey Gate” and “UNITED STATES MARINES”
Credit: GeneralMCNews
🔊👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/7CHDaPwtLU— Sheri™ @FFT4DJT (@FFT4DJT) March 8, 2024
RELATED: Gold Star mother criticizes ‘dementia-ridden’ Biden, blames Democratic voters for son’s death
The father of the Gold Star arrested, literally left in handcuffs
In a statement to Axios, Capitol Police explained why Gold Star’s father was arrested.
“Tonight around 10:15 p.m., a man interrupted the State of the Union address by yelling,” they said. “Our officers warned him to stop and when he failed to do so, the man was removed from the Chamber Galleries and he was arrested.”
Nikoui was photographed in handcuffs at one point.
Breaking decorum during the State of the Union address is reckless. But it’s happened before. And it’s hard to recall past instances where the person who interrupted was taken out in handcuffs.
Indeed, several lawmakers themselves criticized Biden during his speech.
Nikoui was reportedly charged with a local misdemeanor charge of “crowding, obstruction or intrusion.” This is a charge that could lead to three months in prison and a fine of up to $500.
RELATED: Powerful Video: Gold Star Dad Challenges Biden to ‘Be a Grown Man’ and Admit Mistakes from Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Angry at Biden’s incompetence
Mast released a statement on X calling out Capitol Police for arresting Gold Star’s father.
“The sergeant-at-arms detains my State of the Union guest for scolding [Biden] in protest because his son was killed in action at Abbey Gate due to Biden’s incompetence,” Mast complained.
“So much for the right to petition our government for redress of grievances.”
The contrasting styles in how Gold Star mothers and fathers are treated from one administration to the next make for an interesting case study.
Khizr Khan, a Muslim whose son died fighting for our country in Iraq, has undoubtedly been hailed as a hero by Democrats and the media for consistently protesting former President Donald Trump.
Nikoui, however, is expelled from the State of the Union in handcuffs.
Nikoui has already pointed the finger directly at President Biden for his son’s death.
“They sent my son there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban come out to provide security,” Nikoui told the Daily Beast. “I blame my own military leaders…Biden turned his back on them. That’s all.”
And Biden, meanwhile, has consistently drawn the ire of Gold Star families. He was heavily criticized after he was caught checking his watch several times during a dignified transfer of military remains for 13 fallen servicemen killed in Afghanistan.
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