Local Democratic Party chair accused of hitting man in head at ‘No Kings’ protest

Florida’s Hernando County Democratic Party chairman was arrested for allegedly hitting a man in the head with a bullhorn during a “No to Kings” protest over the weekend.

Brian Stewart, 63, was charged with simple battery and booked into the Hernando County Jail following Saturday’s incident. He was released later that day, according to jail records.

Deputies responded to the intersection of Mariner and Cortez avenues around 10:30 a.m.; where Stewart allegedly hit a disabled veteran, identified in police reports as Thomas Michta, in the head with a megaphone. According to WTSP, the incident occurred as demonstrators in Hernando County and across the country protested the Trump administration’s policies.

Michta told deputies that he and Stewart got into an argument while walking toward the protest, media reported.

NIGHT HOST JIMMY KIMMEL IS COMING TO THE ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST WITH CHILDREN, CARRYING ‘ENOUGH NOW’ PERFUME

According to the arrest affidavit, the man accused Stewart of hitting him during the argument and reported that he was in pain along with visible swelling to his head, WTSP reported.

Deputies spoke with a witness who said he saw a fight during the protest.

Video footage recorded by the witness and reviewed by deputies shows Stewart using a bullhorn to hit the man in the head and push him into his chest, according to the affidavit.

After reviewing the video, the witness statement and Stewart’s own admissions, deputies developed probable cause to believe Stewart intentionally struck the man and caused bodily harm, the affidavit said.

MAN WEARING INFLATABLE TRUMP COSTUME AT BLUE STATE ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST WAS ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED ON CAMERA: POLICE

Protesters hold signs and flags near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort during the “No to Kings” national protest day on May 28, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Giorgio VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on April 27.

The Republican Party of Florida called for Stewart to be removed from the presidency over the incident at the protest.

“Violence and political intimidation have no place in our state, and Floridians deserve better than the silence of Democratic leadership. Nikki Fried must remove Brian Stewart from his leadership position in the Democratic Party of Florida immediately!” Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power said in a statement to WTSP.

The Democratic Party of Florida and its Hernando County chapter said in separate statements that they “condemn the violence.”

Protesters hold signs near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort during the “No to Kings” protest on May 28, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Giorgio VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“We have learned that our chairman, Brian Stewart, was arrested after responding to the provocation of a local agitator who threw drinks at him and shouted obscenities at community members during a protest,” the Hernando County Democratic Party said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times. he said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Hernando County Democratic Party for additional comment.