Steve Nikoui yells out as President Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024 in Washington, D.C. This is Biden’s last State of the Union address before the general election this coming November. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, who invited Nikoui to the address, criticized Biden after the ordeal.
"Steve Nikoui, the father of fallen Marine LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, was my guest to {the State of the Union address]," Mast wrote on X. "He was arrested because he cried out to [Biden] to remember his son."
"Joe Biden has never honored those killed at the Abby Gate and still hails the catastrophic withdrawal as a success!" Mast said.
Rep. Mike Waltz, also a Florida Republican, posted a picture of himself alongside Nikoui and took aim at Biden.
DID BIDEN PASS OR FAIL? FORMER PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITERS GRADE THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
"This Gold Star father - Steve Nikoui - lost his son Kareem Nikoui at Abbey Gate Afghanistan," Waltz wrote on X. "Then Kareem's older brother committed suicide over the loss."
"To this day, Biden has never apologized or said Kareem's name in public," he continued. "And Steve was ARRESTED for demanding Biden do so at SOTU. Seriously?"
Likewise, California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa threw his support behind Nikoui.
"I stand with the Gold Star families from Afghanistan — especially my friend Steve Nikoui. He gave the only poignant speech I heard last night," Issa wrote on X Friday morning.
The surprise Abbey Gate attack killed 13 U.S. service members and injured at least 170 civilians — including Nikoui's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui.
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Nikoui was charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, a misdemeanor. He has since been released.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
Fox News Digital's Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report.
Joe Schoffstall is a politics producer/reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Joe.Schoffstall@Fox.com and on Twitter: @joeschoffstall
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