A Gold Star father, whose son was killed during the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, was arrested after shouting criticisms at President Biden during the State of the Union address. Steve Nikoui, 51, stood up in the House Galleries and repeatedly yelled 'Abbey Gate,' referencing the attack at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and injuries to at least 170 civilians.
Security confronted Nikoui during his outburst, asking him to stop, but he refused. As a result, he was escorted out of the House Galleries and arrested by Capitol police on a misdemeanor charge of Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding.
The incident occurred during President Biden's speech, where Nikoui's emotional outburst drew attention. The botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 remains a sensitive topic, especially for families who lost loved ones during the chaotic evacuation process.
Gold Star families, like Nikoui's, have been vocal in their criticisms of the handling of the withdrawal, citing the loss of American lives and the chaotic nature of the evacuation. The attack at Abbey Gate was a tragic event that highlighted the dangers faced by U.S. service members during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
While emotions ran high during the State of the Union address, the disruption caused by Nikoui's outburst led to his arrest. The incident serves as a reminder of the deep emotions and frustrations felt by families who lost loved ones during the events in Afghanistan in 2021.
