Before the State of the Union address from President Joe Biden (D) on March 7, Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) announced that his guest for the event would be Steve Nikoui, the father of Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui.
Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui was one of the 13 U.S. servicemembers who died amidst the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Alongside losing his son in the Marines, Mr. Nikoui lost another son to suicide just weeks before the one-year anniversary of LCpl. Nikoui’s death.
Rep. Mast released a statement on the day of the State of the Union saying that he would continue to “call out” the President for the tragic events that unfolded at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan.
“Joe Biden has been trying to turn the page on Afghanistan after his incompetence cost American lives, but not on my watch,” Rep. Mast said. “For the last three years, Joe Biden has done nothing but tried to deflect blame as terrorists have taken hold of Afghanistan, repressed women, and killed those who supported America. I will continue to call out President Biden to remind him of the damage he has done to national security and American families.”
However, it was not the Florida congressman who called out the President during the speech, but Mr. Nikoui himself.
During the President’s remarks, Mr. Nikoui stood up and yelled out “Abbey Gate” as well as his son’s (Kareem) name. He was then detained by Capitol Police and interrogated. Rep. Mast joined him during the interrogation process.
He also came to Nikoui’s defense the next day with a statement.
“Mr. Nikoui lost his son due to Joe Biden’s incompetence, and lost another son to grief over his brother being killed,” said Rep. Mast. “This man and his family have given America more than I could personally bear and to attack him with a BS charge of ‘demonstrating’ is a disgrace.”
Additionally, President Biden attacked former President Trump (R) – whom he addressed almost solely as “my predecessor” during the State of the Union.
As predicted by many Republicans on the Hill, Biden’s speech was not particularly unifying.
For instance, the President attacked the Supreme Court Justices for overturning Roe v. Wade. He then stated that he would attempt to codify the high court’s decision from over five decades ago.
