opinion
The father of a US Marine killed in Afghanistan's capital, Gold Star, has been arrested on charges of disrupting President Biden's State of the Union address.
Steve Nikoi, Kareem Nikoi's father, was the guest of Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) on Thursday evening. Karim was killed in the 2021 Kabul terrorist attack.
The attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport during the withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the deaths of 183 people. Among them were 13 US military service members.
Biden had declared during his State of the Union address that “America is safer today than it was when I took office.”
This prompted Nikoi to shout in response: “Monastery Gate” and “US Marines!”
The monastery gate is a reference to one of the airport gates where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt.
Biden lies with a straight face.
“Steve Nikoi was arrested for interrupting Biden tonight chanting 'Abbey Gate' and 'United States Marines'.”
Credit: General MC News
🔊👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/7CHDaPwtLU— Sherri™ @FFT4DJT (@FFT4DJT) March 8, 2024
RELATED: Gold Star mother slams 'dementia-stricken' Biden, blames Democratic voters for her son's death
Gold Star's father was arrested and walked out in handcuffs
In a statement to Axios, Capitol Police explained why Gold Star's father was arrested.
“Tonight at approximately 10:15 p.m., a man disrupted the State of the Union address by screaming,” they said. “Our officers warned him to stop, and when he did not, the man was removed from the gallery house and arrested.”
Nikoi was photographed in handcuffs at one point.
Breaking decorum during the State of the Union address is unwise. But this has happened before. It is difficult to recall any previous cases in which the person who interrupted was taken out in handcuffs.
In fact, many of the same lawmakers heckled Biden during his speech.
Nikoi was reportedly charged with a local misdemeanor for “crowding, obstructing or disturbing.” It is a charge that could result in three months in prison and a fine of up to $500.
RELATED: Powerful Video: Gold Star Dad Challenges Biden to Be a 'Mature Man**' and Admits Mistakes of Afghanistan Withdrawal
Angry at Biden's incompetence
Mast released a statement on X calling on Capitol Police to arrest Gold Star's father.
“Sergeant-at-Arms Detains State of the Union Guest for Yelling at Him.” [Biden] In protest against the killing of his son in a battle at the monastery gate due to Biden’s incompetence.”
“So much for the right to petition our government for a redress of grievances.”
The contrasting patterns in how Gold Star mothers and fathers are treated from one administration to the next is an interesting case study.
Khidr Khan, a Muslim man whose son died fighting for our country in Iraq, has been undoubtedly hailed as a hero by Democrats and the media for his continued protest of former President Donald Trump.
However, Nikoi was escorted out of the State of the Union in handcuffs.
Nikoi had previously pointed the finger directly at President Biden over his son's death.
“They sent my son there to work as a paper smuggler, and then they put the Taliban outside to provide security,” Nikoi told The Daily Beast. “I blame my military commanders…Biden turned his back on him. That's it.”
Meanwhile, Biden has consistently drawn the ire of Gold Star families. He came under fire after he was caught checking his watch several times during a dignified transfer of the military remains of 13 service members killed in Afghanistan.
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