A Gold Star father whose son died in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal was arrested after shouting at Joe Biden during Thursday night’s State of the Union address.

Capitol Police escorted Steve Nikoui out of the chamber around 10:15 p.m. and took him into custody.

Nikoui, 51, stood up during Biden’s address and repeatedly shouted “Abbey Gate,” referencing the entrance to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“An explosive device was detonated by a terrorist, killing 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghans,” Just the News noted.

“This is Gold Star father Steve Nikoui, the father of Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui who was killed in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Last night, he shouted ‘Abbey Gate’ and ’13 Marines’ during Joe Biden’s State of the Union Speech. Biden has never apologized or said Kareem’s name in public and at his dignified transfer, Joe was caught checking his watch multiple times. For interrupting the speech, Steve was ARRESTED,” Benny Johnson wrote.

“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?” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) said.

Just the News reports:

Nikoui’s son, Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, died in the terror attack.

Biden has been criticized for his handling of the withdrawal.

Security confronted Nikoui, who was in the upper tier of the House chambers, and demanded he stop, but he continued shouting.

He was escorted out of the House galleries, and arrested by Capitol Police on misdemeanor charges.

WATCH:

Per Fox News:

Republican lawmakers mobilized behind the Gold Star father arrested after heckling President Biden during the State of the Union address on Thursday.

Steve Nikoui, the father of a U.S. Marine killed by a suicide bomber during the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, stood up and repeatedly shouted, “Abbey Gate,” in reference to the attack at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport that occurred during the military’s exit from the country.

Nikoui shouted after Biden said, “America is safer today than when I took office.” Capitol Police escorted Nikoui out of Biden’s address and arrested him.

Republicans have since taken to social media to rally around the Gold Star father.

“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 Abby Gate and still hails the catastrophic withdrawal as a success!” Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) said.

“I stand with the Gold Star families from Afghanistan — especially my friend Steve Nikoui. He gave the only poignant speech I heard last night,” Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) commented.

“Nikoui was charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, a misdemeanor. He has since been released,” Fox News reports.

 

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