Republicans are demanding that the charges against Steven Nikoui, a Gold Star father, be dismissed after he was arrested for speaking the truth about President Joe Biden.
During the president’s Thursday night’s State of the Union address, Nikoui heckled Biden, shouting “Abbey Gate” and “13 Marines” before Capitol Hill police escorted him out of the chamber and arrested him.
His arrest came with a $50 bail and the possibility of a $500 fine or 90 days in jail or both.
Republicans are standing up for Nikoui, calling on the charges to be dropped immediately, suggesting that Biden has blood on his hands and family members of those killed during the president’s botch Afghanistan withdrawal have every right to be angry.
“They have every right to say, ‘Where is that explanation?’” Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) said. “Where is that apology? Where is the legitimate investigation so it doesn’t happen to somebody else’s family?”
WATCH: Steve Nikoui’s fellow Gold Star Families give him a hero’s welcome after he is freed from his completely deranged arrest by @CapitolPolice ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ https://t.co/uLSjSwmpQA pic.twitter.com/MFdlrmSMfC
— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) March 8, 2024
Nikoui, along with other relatives of the fallen troops, were invited to attend Biden’s SOTU.
During an interview with the New York Post, Gold Star father Darin Hoover said that Nikoui had his bible with him when he was arrested, adding that he is a “very Christian man” who did not deserve to not only lose his son thanks to Biden’s recklessness but be arrested for standing up and speaking how he feels.
“He’d been thinking about it, and it’s been bugging him for a while because we haven’t gotten any of those answers … still nothing two and a half years later,” Hoover said. “He was taken out in handcuffs, and so we all sat there and waited and waited and waited — and gave him a hero’s welcome when he came in.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) has offered to pay for any related fines regarding his arrest.