Gold Star dad who heckled Biden during SOTU address arrested, charged with misdemeanor

Gold Star da Steve Nikoui began repeatedly shouting “Abbey Gate," in reference to the highly criticized withdrawal from Afghanistan.

By Kevin Killough

Published: March 8, 2024 10:00am

Updated: March 8, 2024 10:00am

The father of a U.S. Marine killed during the final U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was arrested after he berated President Joe Biden during the State of the Union address about the incident.

News outlets have identified the person as Gold Star dad Steve Nikoui, 51.

He stood up during Biden’s address and repeatedly shouted “Abbey Gate” – referring to the entrance to Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, where an explosive device was detonated by a terrorist, killing 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghans.

Nikoui's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, died in the terror attack.

Biden has been criticized for his handling of the withdrawal.

Security confronted Nikoui, who was in the upper tier of the House chambers, and demanded he stop, but he continued shouting.

He was escorted out of the House galleries, and arrested by Capitol Police on misdemeanor charges.