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chair of Hernando County, FloridaThe Democratic Party, which was arrested for allegedly hitting a man over the head with a bullhorn during “No Kings” protests, said he did not act as an aggressor and did not escalate the confrontation.
Brian Stewart, 63, was charged in Florida with simple battery, a misdemeanor, and booked into the Hernando County Sheriff’s Detention Center after the incident in Spring Hill on Saturday. Records show he was released later that day.
Stewart said he is “not a violent person” and that the man accused of hitting him – a disabled veteran identified in police reports as Thomas Michta – was harassing others at the demonstration “in an attempt to get a reaction”.
“It was a peaceful event attended by many members of the community,” Stewart told Fox News Digital.
Florida county Democratic Party chair accused of hitting man in the head with bullhorn during ‘No Kings’ protest
Hernando County Democratic Chairman Brian Stewart arrested at a protest (Hernando County Jail)
He added, “Unfortunately, an individual disrupted that atmosphere and was harassing rally attendees in an attempt to get a reaction.” “At no point did I act as the aggressor. I am not a violent person, and I did not seek out or escalate any conflict. I never expected that I would be insulted or that I would need to defend myself as I did in that moment.”
The incident occurred as protesters in Hernando County and across the country protested against the Trump administration’s policies.
Deputies responded to the intersection of Mariner and Cortez boulevards around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, where Stewart allegedly struck Michta in the head with a bullhorn.
Michta told deputies he was walking during the protest when he and Stewart got into an argument. According to the arrest affidavit, he accused Stewart of hitting him during the altercation and said he was in pain, with a lump visible on his head, WTSP reports.
According to the affidavit, video footage captured by a witness and reviewed by deputies shows Stewart using a bullhorn to strike the man in the head and kick him in the chest.
The incident occurred as protesters in Hernando County and across the country protested against the Trump administration’s policies. (Giorgio Vieira/AFP via Getty Images)
After reviewing the video, a witness statement and Stewart’s own admission, deputies said they developed probable cause to believe that Stewart intentionally struck the man and caused bodily harm, the affidavit said.
Stewart declined to comment further, saying his lawyers had advised him not to make additional public statements.
“I have many more thoughts to share, but my attorney advises that I refrain from doing so until the case is concluded,” Stewart told Fox News Digital. “Out of respect for the legal process and on the advice of counsel, I will not comment further on the specifics of the case at this time.”
Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on April 27.
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Protesters hold signs and flags near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort during the “No Kings” national protest day in Palm Beach, Florida on May 28, 2026. (Giorgio Vieira/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Florida Democratic Party and the Hernando County chapter said in separate statements earlier this week that they “condemn the violence.”
“We have been told that our Chair Brian Stewart was arrested after responding to instigation by a local agitator who threw a drink on him and yelled obscenities at community members during a protest,” the Hernando County Democratic Party said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Republican Party The incident led to calls for Stewart to be removed from the post of president.
“Violence and political intimidation have no place in our state, and Floridians deserve better than only silence from Democrat leadership. Nikki Fried must immediately remove Brian Stewart from his leadership position in the Florida Democrat Party!” Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said in a statement to WTSP.
