Gold Star Father Arrested During SOTU

During the State of the Union address on March 8, 2024, a Gold Star father named Steve Nikoui was arrested after heckling President Biden. Nikoui is the father of Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, who was killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. He was invited to the event by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) as a reminder of the impact of the withdrawal on national security and American families.
Nikoui shouted “Abbey Gate” repeatedly during the speech, referencing an attack at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan that killed 13 U.S. service members, including his son.

He was escorted out of the House Galleries and arrested by Capitol Police on a misdemeanor charge of Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding.
Nikoui was later released to Rep. Brian Mast.

Steve Nikoui was just freed — thanks to @RepBrianMast.

Steve then received a warm welcome.

Glad to see him released after being wrongfully arrested for speaking up for his fallen son Kareem during the SOTU.

🫡 🇺🇸 https://t.co/vDT8Gt85zi pic.twitter.com/gJMN1zVcIJ

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 8, 2024

After his arrest, several “X” (formerly known as Twitter) users expressed support for Nikoui and criticized President Biden’s handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Some also pointed out the contrast between the treatment of Nikoui and the actions of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who was not arrested for pulling a fire alarm during a protest, a felony in the District of Columbia. Others also asked if the protestors outside the Capitol who blocked the usual route from the White House to the Capitol and delayed President Biden’s speech by nearly 30 minutes would be arrested.
As of today, no reports have been found aside from one driver arrested for allegedly gunning the engine of their car during the protest.