Republicans criticized the detention of Steve Nikoui, the father of a Marine killed amid President Joe Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal, as he demanded recognition for the 13 U.S. service members slain during the State of the Union address.
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), a retired Green Beret colonel and Afghanistan War veteran, shared a photo with Nikoui at the Capitol prior to the speech, stating:
“This Gold Star father – Steve Nikoui – lost his son Kareem Nikoui at Abbey Gate Afghanistan. Then Kareem’s older brother committed suicide over the loss. To this day, Biden has never apologized or said Kareem’s name in public. And Steve was ARRESTED for demanding Biden do so at SOTU. Seriously?”
Nikoui, a guest of Army veteran Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), interrupted Biden’s speech as the President mentioned keeping Americans safe. Nikoui shouted “Abbey Gate” — the entrance where his son and 12 other troops perished during the chaotic withdrawal — and “United States Marines.”
“The Sergeant at Arms is holding my State of the Union guest for yelling at @POTUS in protest because his son was killed in action at the Abbey Gate due to Biden’s incompetence. So much for the right to petition our government for the redress of grievances.”
Mast later criticized Nikoui’s arrest, emphasizing his desire for Biden to remember his son.
“Steve Nikoui, the father of fallen Marine LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, was my guest to #SOTU2024. He was arrested because he cried out to @JoeBiden to remember his son. Joe Biden has never honored those killed at the Abbey Gate and still hails the catastrophic withdrawal as a success!”
According to Axios, Nikoui faced a local misdemeanor charge of “crowding, obstructing or incommoding,” despite Congress members also disrupting Biden’s speech. D.C. code prohibits protesting “in an area where it is otherwise unlawful to demonstrate” and continuing “after being instructed by a law enforcement officer to cease,” carrying a fine of up to $500 and 90 days in prison.
Capitol Police stated they warned Nikoui to stop yelling, and upon refusal, he was removed and arrested.
