Father of a Marine killed in Afghanistan is arrested during Biden’s speech

Steve Nikoui, the father of a U.S. Marine who died in 2021 during the evacuation of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, was arrested and charged with a felony for interrupting President Biden during his State of the Union address, according to Capitol Police.

Mr. Nikoui shouted “Abbey Gate, Abbey Gate” during the president’s speech, a reference to where his son, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui and twelve other troops were killed during the chaotic final days of the American presence in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Police officers quickly removed Mr. Nikoui, 51, from the stand where he was the guest of Representative Brian Mast, Republican of Florida. Mr. Biden paused briefly during the interruption but quickly continued.

A statement from the Capitol Police said officers warned Mr. Nikoui to stop, and when he did not, they removed him from the room.

In the statement, agents said: “This is a routine charge on Capitol Hill. People who illegally demonstrate/disrupt Congress are typically released after paying a $50 fine, so the misdemeanor charge is resolved without a trial.”

Mr. Nikoui has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Biden since the death of his son. In August 2021 he made told The Daily Beast that he blamed the president for the tragedy.

“They sent my son there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban provide security outside,” Mr. Nikoui said at the time, according to the news organization.

“I blame my own military leaders,” he said, adding: “Biden turned his back on him. That is it.”