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.