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The Democratic Party leader in Hernando County, Florida, who was taken into custody for allegedly striking an individual with a bullhorn during a “No Kings” protest, insists he was neither the instigator nor escalated the situation.
At 63, Brian Stewart faces a misdemeanor charge of simple battery in Florida. The incident, which occurred in Spring Hill, led to his arrest and subsequent booking into the Hernando County Sheriff’s Detention Center. He was released the same day, as per official records.
Stewart maintains his stance as a non-violent individual, claiming that Thomas Michta, a disabled veteran mentioned in police documents, was provoking attendees at the protest to spur a response.
“This gathering was peaceful, with significant community participation,” Stewart shared with Fox News Digital.
Democratic Chair Brian Stewart’s arrest during protest in Hernando County (Hernando County Jail)
“Unfortunately, an individual disrupted that environment and was harassing rally attendees in an attempt to elicit a reaction,” he continued. “At no point did I act as an aggressor. I am not a violent person, and I did not seek out or escalate any conflict. I never expected that I’d be accosted or need to defend myself as I did in that moment.”
The incident happened as demonstrators in Hernando County and across the country protested against the Trump administration’s policies.
Deputies responded at around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday to the intersection of Mariner and Cortez boulevards, where Stewart allegedly struck Michta in the head with a bullhorn.
Michta told deputies he was walking through the protest when he and Stewart became involved in an argument. He accused Stewart of striking him during the dispute and reported being in pain, with a visible lump on his head, according to an arrest affidavit, WTSP reported.
According to the affidavit, video footage captured by a witness and reviewed by deputies showed Stewart using a bullhorn to hit the man in the head and push him in the chest.
The incident happened as demonstrators in Hernando County and across the country protested against the Trump administration’s policies. (Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images)
After reviewing the video, a witness’ statement and Stewart’s own admissions, deputies said they developed probable cause to believe Stewart intentionally hit the man and caused bodily harm, the affidavit says.
Stewart declined to comment further, saying his lawyers advised him not to make additional public statements.
“I have many more thoughts to share, but my lawyers advise that I should defer doing so until after the case has concluded,” Stewart told Fox News Digital. “Out of respect for the legal process and on the advice of counsel, I will not be commenting further on the specifics of the case at this time.”
Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on April 27.
Protesters hold signs and flags near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort during the “No Kings” national day of protest, in Palm Beach, Florida, on May 28, 2026. (Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images)
The Florida Democratic Party and the Hernando County chapter said in separate statements earlier this week that they “condemn violence.”
“We have been made aware that our Chair, Brian Stewart, was arrested after responding to a provocation from 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.
The Florida Republican Party called for Stewart to be removed as chair over the incident at the protest.
“Violence and political intimidation have no place in our state, and Floridians deserve better than mere silence from Democrat leadership. Nikki Fried must immediately remove Brian Stewart from his position of leadership in the Florida Democrat Party!” Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said in a statement to WTSP.
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