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The Gold Star father of a Marine killed during the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan was arrested during Thursday’s State of the Union for booing President Joe Biden during his speech.
Steve Nikoui, the father of slain Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, shouted ‘Remember Abbey Gate!’ ‘United States Marines!’ and ‘Abbey Gate!’ from the balcony of the House chamber amid comments.
Abbey Gate is where Nikoui’s son Kareem and 12 other service members were killed by a suicide bomber during the chaotic American departure from Kabul on August 26, 2021.
The 51-year-old, who blamed Biden for his son’s death, was quickly removed from the public gallery and handcuffed.
After Nikoui was murdered during the frantic evacuation of Hamid Karzai International Airport, the family was plunged into tragedy.
The Marine’s brother, Dakota Halverson, committed suicide a few days before the first anniversary next to the public monument in California.
Gold Star father Steve Nikoui was removed from President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address for shouting about his son’s death in Afghanistan.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California, one of 13 service members who died during the disastrous 2021 departure from Afghanistan.
Nikoui was arrested and charged with misdemeanor protest, according to a mail by reporter Matthew Foldi in X.
Security quickly escorted Nikoui out of the chamber after his interruption. Biden did not visibly react.
Nikoui was the State of the Union guest of Rep. Brian Mast R-FL, who endorsed the protest.
“During the last three SOTU speeches, Joe Biden REFUSED to say the names of the 13 US service members who died in his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Mast wrote in X after the father’s outcry. ‘I couldn’t support this effort more. Say their names!’
Other members of Congress reacted to Nikoui’s protest, as did another Gold Star parent.
“It’s disgraceful that he was arrested,” Rep. Mike Waltz told the Daily Mail after the speech. “I was with all the Gold Star families right before the speech.”
The 51-year-old, who blamed Biden for his son’s death, was quickly removed from the public gallery and handcuffed. The father and son appear together.
Nikoui’s (right) brother, Dakota Halverson (left), committed suicide just days before the first anniversary next to the public memorial.
Nikoui would send his family photographs of him with his fellow Marines outside Kabul International Airport, before the devastating suicide attack.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla. He posed with Nikoui before entering the House chamber. He also invited a Gold Star mother to the speech.
Paula Knauss, mother of fallen Army Sgt. Ryan Knauss also expressed his disappointment with Biden
Waltz invited Gold Star mother Paula Knauss, who lost her son, Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, after the explosion at the airport in Afghanistan.
‘He has yet to say those 13 names, whether in private, in public or in a speech anywhere. “It’s infuriating,” Waltz said.
Knauss said she “almost got myself kicked out” during the speech because she was furious at Biden for not saying her son’s name and not apologizing for the disastrous exit from Afghanistan.
‘This was the beginning of the fall that has occurred in this administration. Since then it has been increasing,” he concluded.