Gold Star Dad Steve Nikoui made headlines after his emotional outburst at President Biden’s State of the Union address last week. Nikoui, the father of one of the Marines killed in the suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, expressed his frustration at the president’s failure to acknowledge his son’s sacrifice.
During the address, Nikoui, who was a guest of Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., stood up and shouted, “Do you remember Abbey Gate?” in reference to his son. He also called out his son’s name and rank, demanding recognition for his sacrifice.
Nikoui’s outburst led to his arrest and charges of “crowd obstructing or incommoding.” However, he expressed that he felt compelled to speak out after waiting for more than two years for the president to mention his son’s name.
In addition to criticizing President Biden, Nikoui also called out retired military officers Gen. Kenneth Frank McKenzie and Gen. Mark Milley, urging Americans to pay attention to their upcoming testimony on the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Nikoui praised Rep. Michael McCaul for his efforts to bring attention to the loss of life during the evacuation and highlighted the work of Reps. Mast, Darrell Issa, Michael Waltz, and Cory Mills in keeping the memory of the fallen servicemembers alive.
The emotional outburst at the State of the Union shed light on the pain and frustration felt by Gold Star families who have not received the recognition they believe their loved ones deserve. Nikoui’s actions sparked a conversation about the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by servicemembers and their families.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal, Nikoui’s impassioned plea for acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of the tragic events that unfolded in Kabul.
