Gold Star dad, Mast guest, arrested after protesting Biden during State of the Union address
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Steve Nikoui, a Gold Star father and State of the Union address guest of Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, was arrested after heckling President Joe Biden over his August 2021 withdrawal in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of Nikoui’s 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,” Mast said. “Joe Biden has never honored those killed at Abby Gate and still hails the catastrophic withdrawal as a success.”
Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, was one of 13 U.S. service members killed at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport during the military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. The surprise attack, carried out by ISIS-K, also killed at least 170 Afghan civilians.
Notably, the U.S. began military operations in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, the same year Nikoui was born. Its conclusion, days after the attack, ended the longest war in American history.
“All Americans deserve the freedom to be safe. And America is safer today then when I took office,” Biden said just before Nikoui interjected.
“Abbey Gate!” Nikoui yelled at Biden. “Second Battalion, First Marines!”
Nikoui was then escorted out of the House Galleries by Capitol Police.
“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 Abbey Gate due to Biden’s incompetence,” Mast said. “So much for the right to petition our government for the redress of grievances.”
Following his removal, Nikoui was charged with misdemeanor crowding, obstructing, or incommoding Congress. The penalty often results in the offender’s release and a $50 fine.
