Yes, I can manually remove the style application. The number in the TOC is plain text that gets the same character style that I use for the starting text within the heading paragraph.
In my heading I have
4. Mendoza and Bricklayers do not support DHS’s standing argument.
where
[4. ][[Mendoza] and [Bricklayers] do not support DHS’s standing argument. }
Automatic numbered with my do nothing character style-not editable
My text
My italic character style
My italic character style again
In the TOC this come out as
4.Mendoza and Bricklayers do not support DHS’s standing argument.
[ [4. Mendoza] and [Bricklayers] do not support DHS’s standing argument. ]
TOC line in my TOC Paragraph style
My Italic Character Style
My Italic Character Style