Opinion
The Gold Star father of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan’s capital was arrested for disrupting President Biden’s State of the Union address.
Steve Nikoui, the father of Kareem Nikoui, was a guest of Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) Thursday evening. Kareem was killed in the 2021 Kabul terror attack.
The attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the withdrawal from Afghanistan killed 183 people. Among them were 13 United States military service members.
Biden, during his State of the Union speech, had declared “America is safer today than when I took office.”
This prompted Nikoui to shout in response, “Abbey Gate” and “United States Marines!”
Abbey Gate is a reference to one of the gates into the airport where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt.
RELATED: Gold Star Mother Slams ‘Dementia-Ridden’ Biden, Blames Democrat Voters For Son’s Death
Gold Star Father Arrested, Literally Walked Out In Cuffs
In a statement to Axios, the Capitol police explained why the Gold Star father was arrested.
“Tonight at approximately 10:15 p.m., a man disrupted the State of the Union Address by yelling,” they said. “Our officers warned him to stop and when he did not, the man was removed from the House Galleries and was arrested.”
Nikoui was photographed in cuffs at one point.
The breaking of decorum during the State of the Union address is ill-advised. But it’s happened before. And it’s difficult to recall any past instances where the person interrupting was taken out in handcuffs.
In fact, several lawmakers themselves heckled Biden during his speech.
Nikoui has reportedly been charged with a local misdemeanor for “crowding, obstructing or incommoding.” It is a charge that could lead to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
RELATED: Powerful Video: Gold Star Father Challenges Biden To ‘Be A Grown A** Man’ And Admit To Mistakes From Afghanistan Withdrawal
Angry Over Biden’s Incompetence
Mast issued a statement on X calling out the Capitol Police for arresting the Gold Star father.
“The Sergeant at Arms is holding my State of the Union guest for yelling at [Biden] in protest because his son was killed in action at the Abbey Gate due to Biden’s incompetence,” Mast complained.
“So much for the right to petition our government for the redress of grievances.”
The contrasting styles in how Gold Star mothers and fathers are treated from one administration to the next is an interesting case study.
Khizr Khan, a Muslim man whose son died fighting for our country in Iraq, was unquestionably hailed as a hero by Democrats and the media for consistently protesting former President Donald Trump.
Nikoui, however, is perp-walked out of the State of the Union in handcuffs.
Nikoui has previously pointed the finger directly at President Biden for his son’s death.
“They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security,” Nikoui told the Daily Beast. “I blame my own military leaders … Biden turned his back on him. That’s it.”
And Biden, meanwhile, has consistently raised the ire of Gold Star families. He was heavily criticized after being caught checking his watch several times during a dignified transfer of military remains for the 13 fallen service members killed in Afghanistan.
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