Podcaster Facing Federal Charges
Los Angeles Podcaster Arrested And Indicted For Threatening President Trump And Stalking Lawyer
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Key Points
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First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli publicly warned, 'Threats against the President of the United States are federal crimes. We will not tolerate threats of political violence in the United States. My office will prosecute anyone who crosses that line to the fullest extent of the law.'
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Southworth surrendered to FBI agents at his Westlake home after investigators surrounded the residence and demanded he exit, and he declined to answer questions during the arrest.
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An April 7 Instagram video includes explicit lines such as, 'I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump. This government is illegitimate and out of control. It’s time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump.'
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In January, prosecutors say he wrote, 'If I encounter any Trump official in-person, I’m seriously afraid I will end up in Jail,' and, 'But if I could Kill him, I wouldn’t waste the opportunity.'
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One clip described in charging papers depicts Southworth appearing behind Trump in an Oval Office setting with a knife, a visualization prosecutors say illustrates the threats.
Federal authorities arrested Benjamin Azariah Southworth, a 40-year-old Los Angeles podcaster, for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump and harassing his personal lawyer online. The Epoch Times reports Southworth used Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok from January through May to post death threats and publish the attorney's home address and phone numbers. If convicted on all three federal counts, he faces up to 12 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Southworth made his threats knowing they were serious. In one April Instagram video, he wrote: 'I have been vocal in calling for the execution of Donald Trump. Kill Donald Trump.' KESQ reports he also posted a video showing himself behind a staged Oval Office desk holding a knife, positioned as if standing over the president.
Multiple Platforms Used for Death Threats
Southworth spread his threats across multiple social media sites over a five-month period. Spectrum Local News confirms he posted on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and a personal website. The posts escalated from January through May, with prosecutors arguing each one showed intent to threaten the president.
Beyond death threats, Southworth targeted Trump's personal attorney by doxxing — publishing private information like home address and phone numbers. He also harassed the attorney's family members online. These actions crossed state lines, making them federal crimes under cyberstalking and interstate harassment laws.
Arrest at Westlake Home After FBI Standoff
FBI agents surrounded Southworth's Westlake home and demanded he exit. Fox LA reports he surrendered to the agents without incident. Investigators noted he declined to answer any questions during the arrest, suggesting awareness of the severity of the charges.
The arrest came after a federal grand jury indicted Southworth on three counts: threats against the president, cyberstalking, and harassing interstate telephone calls. Federal prosecutors documented his online activity to build their case before moving to arrest him.
Federal Prosecutors Vow Zero Tolerance for Political Violence
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli issued a stark warning: 'Threats against the President of the United States are federal crimes. We will not tolerate threats of political violence. My office will prosecute anyone who crosses that line to the fullest extent of the law.' The statement signals federal commitment to pursuing online threats aggressively.
The case underscores that threats made online — even across platforms and state lines — carry serious federal penalties. Prosecutors highlighted Southworth's case as an example of their determination to hold accountable anyone who threatens the president or engages in targeted harassment campaigns online.
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