[Steely Tom]

I don't have time to go through all his videos again, but Massad Ayoob — who I trust knows the law, at least in New Hampshire — said IIRC that brandishing was a fairly big deal and depending on the circumstances could land you in a lot of hot water. I don't think it's something one should do in response to an obnoxious person yelling at you.

Now, if he advanced, or tried to make physical contact, that's another matter.

[tomkat]

Now, if he advanced, or tried to make physical contact, that's another matter.
- - - - - -
It's right there in the excerpt:

The man threatened to assault the Trump supporter if he did not remove his hat, and then tried to knock it off his head

[DrewsMum]

Soooo... trying to come at you knocking your hat off your head is not advancing? Huh?

[21twelve]

“Now, if he advanced, or tried to make physical contact, that’s another matter.”

From the article:

“The man threatened to assault the Trump supporter if he did not remove his hat, and then tried to knock it off his head.”

BTW - it is called Assault and Battery. The verbal threats are assault, and if he did make contact with a blow that would be battery.

Here’s one definition:

Assault

At Common Law, an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.

An assault is carried out by a threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm.

[gundog]

The man threatened to assault the Trump supporter if he did not remove his hat, and then tried to knock it off his head.

Good enough? Granted, the other guy didn't stick around to dispute this account.