Gold Star Dad arrested for SOTU outburst: No regrets, no dishonor to my son
Gold Star Father Arrested for Disrupting State of the Union Address
Steve Nikoui, the Gold Star father arrested Thursday night for disrupting President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, had one goal in mind – to get Biden to acknowledge his son and the 12 other service members who lost their lives during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Nikoui, invited as a guest of Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), struggled with the decision to attend the speech. His son, U.S. Marine Kareem Nikoui, was among the thirteen troops killed in the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Despite his reservations, Nikoui attended the speech and was deeply affected by what he witnessed. He described it as a “theatrical circus” that overwhelmed him emotionally.
LISTEN: A Gold Star Father Is Arrested After Disrupting The State Of The Union Address
When President Biden claimed that “America is safer today than when I took office,” Nikoui couldn’t help but think about the safety of his own son. In a moment of frustration, he stood up and shouted his son’s name, demanding that the president remember Abbey Gate and the U.S. Marines.
After peacefully exiting the chamber as ordered by Capitol police, Nikoui was handcuffed and charged with a misdemeanor for his protest. This charge carries a fine of up to $500 and a potential prison sentence of 90 days.
In a heartfelt conversation that lasted over an hour on Zoom, Nikoui revealed himself as a typical dad, with no rehearsed talking points or polished phrases. He surprised himself by taking a stand during the president’s speech.
Nikoui holds the office of the presidency in high regard, but he was deeply offended when Biden failed to honor the sacrifices of the 13 fallen service members during the State of the Union address. Instead, Biden quickly shifted the focus to his own son, Beau, and climate change.
Feeling emotional, Nikoui said, “I just wanted him to say, ‘The United States will never forget the brave service of Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover…’ and then go on down the list of the other 12. Just say, ‘We will never forget.’ That’s all he had to do. But he didn’t do that.”
Nikoui wonders why Biden’s wife and other son, who have experienced their own loss, haven’t encouraged him to show more respect to grieving parents. He questions why they haven’t urged Biden to say the names of those who sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan.
His arrest has shocked people on both sides of the aisle, including Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips (MN), who empathizes with Nikoui’s pain. Phillips questions why Nikoui was arrested while others, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, faced no consequences for their outbursts.
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Nikoui holds the Biden administration responsible for his son’s death. He believes that if they had followed the withdrawal agreement made by former President Donald Trump, his son would still be alive.
Throughout the conversation, Nikoui emphasizes the importance of his Christian faith and the commandment to forgive. However, he also believes that the administration should be held accountable for their errors in judgment that put U.S. troops at risk in Afghanistan.
Regardless of the outcome of his misdemeanor charge, Nikoui has no regrets about speaking up. He firmly believes that he did not disrespect anyone or dishonor his son.
How did Steve Nikoui hope to bring attention to the sacrifice made by his son and the other fallen service members?
Llen service members. As a Gold Star father, his son’s sacrifice is deeply personal and he felt compelled to ensure that his son’s name would not be forgotten.
The Afghan withdrawal was a deeply controversial and tragic event, resulting in the loss of American lives. Nikoui’s son, Kareem Nikoui, was one of the brave Marines who lost his life in the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate. The pain and grief of losing a child cannot be expressed in words, and Nikoui hoped that by disrupting the State of the Union address, he could bring attention to the sacrifice made by his son and the other fallen service members.
Nikoui attended the speech as a guest of Rep. Brian Mast, who himself is a veteran. The decision to attend was not an easy one for Nikoui, as the emotions surrounding his son’s death were still raw. However, he believed that it was important for him to be present at the event, in the hopes that President Biden would address the sacrifice made by his son and the other fallen soldiers.
Unfortunately, to Nikoui’s disappointment, the State of the Union address turned out to be what he described as a “theatrical circus”. The focus seemed to be more on political posturing than on honoring the service members who had lost their lives. It was in this moment of frustration and emotional turmoil that Nikoui stood up and shouted his son’s name, demanding recognition for the fallen soldiers.
Nikoui’s act of protest was driven by a genuine desire for his son’s sacrifice to be acknowledged and remembered. It was not an act of disrespect towards the office of the presidency, but rather a plea for the president to honor the brave men and women who had laid down their lives for their country.
However, Nikoui’s act of protest did not go unnoticed, and he was swiftly removed from the chamber by Capitol police. Despite his peaceful demeanor and compliance with their orders, he was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for his actions.
Nikoui’s arrest highlights the complexities of free speech and protest in a democratic society. While individuals have the right to express their grievances and demand accountability from their elected officials, there are also legal boundaries that must be respected.
It is evident that Nikoui’s actions were driven by his deep love for his son and his desire to ensure that his sacrifice is not forgotten. His act of protest, though disruptive, was a heartfelt plea for recognition and remembrance.
As the nation remembers the fallen service members and continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Afghan withdrawal, it is important to listen to the voices of Gold Star families like Steve Nikoui. Their pain and grief should not be disregarded, and their insistence on acknowledging the sacrifice of their loved ones should serve as a reminder of the true cost of war.
In the face of tragedy and loss, it is crucial for the government and its representatives to demonstrate compassion and empathy. The sacrifices made by our service members should be honored, not used as political ammunition or conveniently forgotten.
Steve Nikoui’s act of protest may have landed him in handcuffs, but it has also shed light on the plight of Gold Star families and their yearning for recognition and remembrance. It is a reminder to us all that the true measure of a nation lies not in its political posturing, but in how it honors and remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
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