Gold Star dad thrown out of Biden’s State of the Union for shouting ‘Remember Abbey Gate’ over the 13 U.S. service members killed during disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal
The Gold Star father of a Marine killed during the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan was arrested during the State of the Union address Thursday for heckling President Joe Biden during his speech.
Steve Nikoui, the father of slain Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui shouted ‘Remember the Abbey Gate!’ “United States Navy!” and ‘Abbey Gate!’ from the balcony of the House chamber, in the middle of the remarks.
Abbey Gate is where Nikoui’s son Kareem and twelve other soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber during the chaotic US flight from Kabul on August 26, 2021.
The 51-year-old, who blames Biden for his son’s death, was quickly removed from the public gallery and placed in handcuffs.
After Nikoui’s murder during the hectic evacuation of Hamid Karzai International Airport, the family was engulfed in tragedy.
The Marine’s brother, Dakota Halverson, committed suicide just days before the one-year 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 soldiers killed during the disastrous 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan
Nikoui was arrested and charged with protesting a crime, a spokesman said after by reporter Matthew Foldi on X.
Security quickly escorted Nikoui out of the room after his interruption. Biden did not visibly react.
Nikoui was the State of the Union guest for Rep. Brian Mast R-FL, who supported the protest.
“During the last three SOTU speeches, Joe Biden refused to speak the names of the thirteen American service members who died in his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Mast wrote on X after the father’s protest. “I couldn’t support this effort anymore. Say their names!’
Other members of Congress responded to Nikoui’s protest, as did another Gold Star parent.
“That’s shameful if 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 has blamed Biden for his son’s death, was quickly removed from the public gallery and placed in handcuffs. The father and son are pictured together
Nikoui’s (right) brother Dakota Halverson (left) committed suicide just days before the one-year anniversary next to the public monument
Nikoui sent his family photos of him with his fellow Marines outside Kabul International Airport, before the devastating suicide bombing
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla. posed with Nikoui before entering the House chamber. He also invited a Gold Star mother to the speech
Paula Knauss, mother of fallen Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss also expressed her disappointment with Biden
Waltz invited Gold Star mother Paula Knauss, who welcomed her son, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, after the explosion at the Afghanistan airport.
“He has not yet said those thirteen names, either privately, publicly, in a speech anywhere. It’s infuriating,” Waltz said.
Knauss said she “almost got kicked out herself” during the speech because she was furious with Biden for not saying her son’s name and not apologizing for the disastrous exodus from Afghanistan.
“This was the beginning of the crisis he has had in this government. It has spiraled ever since,” she concluded.