Democratic Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., has dropped charges against Gold Star father Steve Nikoi for disrupting Congress during President Biden’s State of the Union address earlier this month.
Nikoui is the father of Kareem Nikoui, who was killed during the Biden administration’s chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Fox News learned of the decision Tuesday evening. The decision to drop the charges was confirmed by the Speaker’s Office.
The DC AG’s office told Fox News that it decided not to prosecute in this case, as it has in past cases involving protesters.
Gold Star Father Steve Nikoy says charges for shouting during Biden’s presidential campaign have not been dropped
Steve Nikoy shouts as President Biden (not pictured) speaks during the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Shaun Hsu/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Fox News was told that Nikoy was “touched and humbled” and cried when he heard the news from California Representative Darrell Issa.
Other family members were with him when he learned the news.
Mr. Nikoui was a guest at a speech by Republican Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, and interrupted the president’s speech by shouting “Abby Gate!”
U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) warned Nikoui before escorting him from the chamber and arresting him.
Steve Nikoy speaks with FOX News Channel Congressional Correspondent Aisha Husney outside a House hearing on US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Tuesday. (Fox News)
That night, the USCP issued a statement saying, “Obstructing Congress or demonstrating at the Capitol is illegal.”
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Mast, along with Rep. Michael Walz (R-Fla.), Rep. Issa, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, called for the charges to be dropped.
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House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul called for the charges against the Gold Star athlete’s father, Steve Nikoy, to be dropped.
Issa and Walz wrote a letter to USCP Police Chief Tom Munger, pleading with him to drop the charges.
But the decision was on Schwalb.
