Republican lawmakers rally behind Gold Star father arrested for heckling President Biden during State of the Union address
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., appeared on The Faulkner Focus to share his reaction to President Biden’s speech and the growing calls to ban TikTok following congressional testimony. In a show of solidarity, Republican lawmakers have mobilized behind the Gold Star father who was arrested after heckling President Biden during the State of the Union address on Thursday.
Steve Nikoui, the father of a U.S. Marine who tragically lost his life 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. This incident occurred during the military’s exit from the country. Nikoui expressed his discontent after President Biden claimed, “America is safer today than when I took office.”
Capitol Police swiftly escorted Nikoui out of Biden’s address and subsequently arrested him. However, Republicans have taken to social media to rally around the Gold Star father, showing their support and raising concerns over the incident.
Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, who invited Nikoui to the address, criticized Biden for his handling of the situation. Mast wrote on X, “Steve Nikoui, the father of fallen Marine LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, was my guest at the State of the Union address. He was arrested because he cried out to [Biden] to remember his son.” Mast further expressed his disappointment, stating, “Joe Biden has never honored those killed at the Abbey Gate and still hails the catastrophic withdrawal as a success!”
Rep. Mike Waltz, also a Florida Republican, shared a photo of himself alongside Nikoui and directed his criticism towards Biden. “This Gold Star father – Steve Nikoui – lost his son Kareem Nikoui at Abbey Gate Afghanistan,” Waltz wrote on X. “Then Kareem’s older brother committed suicide over the loss.” He continued, “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?”
California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa also expressed his support for Nikoui, stating, “I stand with the Gold Star families from Afghanistan — especially my friend Steve Nikoui. He gave the only poignant speech I heard last night,” on X.
In response to the growing criticism, a National Security Council spokesperson assured that the President and First Lady will always honor the sacrifices of the 13 servicemembers who were killed in the Abbey Gate attack. They emphasized their commitment to mourning with the families, remembering their loved ones, and providing ongoing support to the Gold Star families affected by this tragedy.
The Abbey Gate attack resulted in the loss of 13 U.S. service members and left at least 170 civilians injured, including Nikoui’s son, Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui. Nikoui was charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, a misdemeanor, but has since been released.
The Republican lawmakers’ support for the Gold Star father highlights their concerns over the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent aftermath. As the controversy surrounding this incident continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address these criticisms and provide reassurances to the families affected by the tragedy.
