Local Democratic Party chairman accused of headbutting man at ‘No Kings’ protest

The chairman of the Hernando County, Florida, Democratic Party has been arrested for allegedly hitting a man in the head with a bull’s horn during the “No Kings” protest over the weekend.

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

Deputies responded around 10:30 a.m. to the intersection of Mariner and Cortez streets, where Stewart allegedly hit a disabled veteran — identified as Thomas Michta in a police report — in the head with a bull horn. The incident occurred as protesters in Hernando County and across the country protested the policies of the Trump administration, according to WTSP.

Michta told the members that he was walking in the protest when he and Stewart got into an argument, the newspaper reported.

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The suspect accused Stewart of hitting him during the argument and reported that he was in pain, with a lump on his head, according to an arrest affidavit, WTSP reported.

Deputies spoke to a witness who said he saw fighting during the protest.

According to the affidavit, video footage taken by a witness and reviewed by deputies showed Stewart using a cow horn to hit the man in the head and push him in the chest.

After reviewing the video, witness statements and Stewart’s confession, deputies said they believed Stewart had intentionally hit the man and injured him, the affidavit said.

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

Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on April 27.

The Florida Republican Party called for Stewart’s removal as chairman over the protest incident.

“Violence and intimidation in politics have no place in our country, and Floridians deserve better than peace 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.

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

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

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“We have been informed that our Chairman, Brian Stewart, has been arrested after responding to a local disturbance that threw a drink at him and insulted members of the public during a protest,” said a statement from the Hernando County Democratic Party in a statement sent to the Tampa Bay Times.

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