Case Dismissed for Gold Star Dad Who Voiced Outburst at Biden’s State of the Union
Facing the Music: A Father’s Protest against Silence
In a turn of events that has captured national attention, Washington, D.C.’s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, has retracted the charges against Steve Nikoui, a Gold Star father whose grief-spurred outburst during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union (SOTU) Address led to his arrest. This decision comes after considerable public outcry and media coverage from outlets like Fox News, which reported on the incident this past Tuesday.
The announcement of the dropped charges was confirmed by both major offices involved, the Speaker’s Office and the D.C. AG’s office, the latter justifying the action as a common practice for dealing with protestors.
Caught in a moment of high emotion, Nikoui’s words echoed through the chamber, “Abbey Gate! Kareem Nikoui! Second Battalion, First Marines!” – during Biden’s mention of nationwide murder rates.
The father who raised his voice during the SOTU aimed to remind us of the sacrifices made by our military: “United States Marines;” a tribute to the 13 service members we lost amidst tragic decisions in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/n3OPgvVdtZ
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) March 8, 2024
Behind the Outcry
The name he shouted, Kareem Nikoui, was his son – one of the 13 valiant U.S. service members whose lives were tragically lost in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport amid what many criticize as a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
“I don’t believe I disrespected anyone or tarnished my son’s memory,” Nikoui reflected in a poignant discussion with Morning Wire, defending his actions as the voice of his son’s unacknowledged sacrifice.
A Father’s Reasoning
Nikoui holds the Biden administration accountable for the circumstances leading to his son’s death. He observes that the initial plan for a strategic military presence was ignored: “They were told to leave 2,500 troops there…but [Biden] went down to something like 136 troops. Had they honored the previous administration’s agreement, my son might still be with us.”
Support from the Ranks
Backing Nikoui’s stance, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) penned a compelling message to Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger urging that the charges be dismissed.
He declared, “Mr. Nikoui’s arrest for openly expressing his despair – and his plea for recognition of his son’s ultimate sacrifice – shines a light on the disconnect between our military’s sacrifices and the honor they are due.”
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.
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Issa further highlighted that Nikoui might have disrupted the SOTU, but his words were a heartfelt plea for attention to the pain families like his have suffered. “This cry should not be met with silence but with the solemn acknowledgement due to those who have given their all,” he emphasized.
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