A podcaster from Los Angeles, California, has officially been arrested and indicted for allegedly issuing threats to kill President Donald Trump, according to information shared by federal prosecutors. The suspect, Benjamin Azariah Southworth, was apprehended on the morning of September 3, 2026, at his apartment located in the Westlake neighborhood of L.A., said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
Southworth has entered a not guilty plea and is currently being held without bond. He is due back in court in October. The suspect has been charged with making threats against the president; cyberstalking; and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications. Attorney General Todd Blanche released a statement concerning Southworth and the charges against him.
“As threats against President Trump’s life escalate, the Department of Justice will respond with the full force of the law,” Attorney General Todd Blanche went on to say in the statement. “We will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens.”
According to a report from ABC7 NY, the indictment revealed that from January 2026 until May 2026, Southworth is accused of using social media accounts on several platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, along with a website, to publicly express his hatred for President Trump and those who support him. He also utilized the platforms to make threats of violence against Trump.
“There is zero tolerance for political violence, especially for threats directed at the President,” Essayli remarked in a statement. “Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense, and you will be arrested and charged as Mr. Southworth found out this morning.” Prosecutors say Southworth posted a video on Instagram on April 7 that contained a series of threats against the president.
Those comments include, “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 before the video was posted, Southworth allegedly posted a video on his TikTok account that listed the home address of a Victim 1 – an attorney who had been President Trump’s personal lawyer – along with a photograph of Victim 1 and another photograph of Victim 1’s residence,” the DOJ said.
In the same video, Southworth allegedly said, “No peace for traitors.” A news release about the incident said, “From January 2026 to May 2026, Southworth left a series of abusive messages online and over voicemail to Victim 2, who is Victim 1’s son, and made harassing telephone calls to Victim 3, who is Victim 1’s wife.”
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If he is convicted of the charges brought against him, Southworth is looking at a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for making threats against President Trump, five years in federal prison for cyberstalking, and two years in federal prison for telephonic harassment, according to prosecutors. If the maximum sentence is handed down that could mean a total of 12 years behind bars for the suspect.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video