LA Podcaster Indicted for Death Threats Against President Trump

Benjamin Azariah Southworth was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with threatening to kill President Trump, cyberstalking, and harassment.

LA Podcaster Faces Federal Charges Over Trump Death Threats

Google News MT — Crime (en) reports that a Los Angeles-based podcaster has been indicted and arrested for allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump, with federal prosecutors announcing the charges on Thursday.

Benjamin Azariah Southworth was taken into custody at his apartment in the Westlake neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Thursday morning, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. Southworth pleaded not guilty in court and is being held without bond, with a follow-up court date scheduled for next month.

He faces three federal counts: threats against the president, cyberstalking, and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.

Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement following the arrest. "As threats against President Trump's life escalate, the Department of Justice will respond with the full force of the law," Blanche said. "We will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens."

A federal grand jury returned the indictment on Wednesday. According to the charging document, between January 2026 and May 2026, Southworth allegedly used YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and a personal website to publicly express hostility toward Trump and his supporters, and to threaten violence against the president.

On 7 April, prosecutors say Southworth posted a video to his Instagram account containing explicit threats, including the statements: "I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump" and "This government is illegitimate and out of control. It's time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump."

Three months prior to that post, Southworth allegedly published a TikTok post that listed the home address of a person identified as Victim 1 — described as an attorney who had previously served as Trump's personal lawyer — along with photographs of that individual and their residence. The Justice Department said the post also included the phrase "No peace for traitors."

Prosecutors further allege that from January to May 2026, Southworth sent abusive messages online and over voicemail to Victim 2, identified as the son of Victim 1, and made harassing telephone calls to Victim 3, identified as Victim 1's wife.

Essayli addressed the arrests in a separate statement. "There is zero tolerance for political violence, especially for threats directed at the President," he said. "Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense, and you will be arrested and charged as Mr. Southworth found out this morning."

If convicted on all counts, Southworth faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for the threat against the president, an additional five years for cyberstalking, and up to two years for telephonic harassment.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)