Another case of political tension turning physical played out Tuesday evening in Florida, this time involving a 72-year-old man wearing a MAGA hat and a 33-year-old woman now facing serious charges after an altercation escalated beyond words.
According to an arrest affidavit, Laura Elizabeth Garrett, 33, approached the elderly man at Northeast Park and Paw Place in Largo around 5:30 p.m. Witnesses say the two exchanged words, sparked by Garrett’s apparent disdain for the man’s “Make America Great Again” hat in support of former President Donald Trump.
What began as a verbal disagreement allegedly turned physical when Garrett struck the man on the back of the head and shoulder area with a can she was holding. She then reportedly jumped a fence and walked away from the scene.
When questioned, Garrett admitted to confronting the man and pouring the contents of her can over his head, though she denied physically striking him with it.
The incident didn’t end with the initial assault. When officers located Garrett and placed her under arrest, things took another aggressive turn. As police attempted to escort her to the front of the park where patrol vehicles were stationed, Garrett allegedly dropped her full body weight to the ground in an attempt to resist.
According to police reports, she then wrapped her legs around one officer, causing him to fall and bruise his knee. The situation escalated further as Garrett continued to kick and resist, prompting additional forceful efforts by officers to subdue her.
Garrett now faces a trio of charges:
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Battery on a person 65 years old or older — a felony offense due to the age of the victim.
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Battery on a law enforcement officer
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Obstructing or resisting an officer without violence
These charges reflect not just the original assault, but the physical struggle that followed with police.
While the First Amendment protects political expression, Tuesday’s incident is yet another reminder of how intolerance and aggression can quickly boil over, even in public parks during peaceful hours.
