A local Dem leader who was arrested for beating a man with a bull’s horn says he is not a violent person

The chairman of Hernando County, Floridathe Democratic Party, who was arrested for allegedly hitting a man on the head with a cow horn during the “No Kings” protest, said that he did not act as a violent person and did not inflame the conflict.

Brian Stewart, 63, was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor in Florida, and booked into the Hernando County Sheriff’s Detention Center after the incident in Spring Hill on Saturday. He was released later that day, records show.

Stewart said he is “not a violent person” and that the man he is accused of beating – a disabled veteran identified in police reports as Thomas Michta – was harassing others at the protest “trying to provoke a reaction.”

“This was a peaceful event attended by many members of the community,” Stewart told Fox News Digital.

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“Unfortunately, someone disturbed that place and was harassing those who attended the meeting with the intention of trying to react,” he continued. “I have never been an abuser. I am not a violent person, and I have never wanted or escalated a conflict. I never expected that I would be angry or need to defend myself like I did then.”

The incident occurred as protesters in Hernando County and across the country protested the policies of the Trump administration.

Deputies responded around 10:30 a.m. Saturday to the intersection of Mariner and Cortez streets, where Stewart allegedly hit Michta in the head with a bull’s horn.

Michta told deputies that he was walking to the protest when he and Stewart got into an argument. She accused Stewart of hitting her during the argument and reported that she was in pain, with a lump on her head, according to the arrest affidavit, WTSP reported.

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

The incident occurred as protesters in Hernando County and across the country protested the policies of the Trump administration. (Giorgio VIERA / AFP via Getty Images)

After reviewing the video, a witness statement and Stewart’s confession, deputies say they have reason to believe Stewart intentionally hit the man and injured him, the affidavit said.

Stewart declined to comment further, saying his lawyers had advised him not to make any further public statements.

“I have a lot of other ideas to share, but my attorneys have advised me to hold off on that until after the trial,” Stewart told Fox News Digital. “Out of respect for the legal process and counsel’s advice, I will not comment further on the details of the case at this time.”

Stewart is scheduled to appear in court on April 27.

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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)

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

“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.

I Florida Republican Party called for Stewart to be removed as chairman because of 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.