US authorities have arrested Los Angeles-based podcaster Benjamin Azariah Southworth after he was indicted for allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump and cyberstalking the president’s personal lawyer and his family.
Southworth, 40, was arrested by federal authorities at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 3, following a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury.
According to the US Department of Justice, he faces charges of threatening the president, cyberstalking and making harassing interstate telephone calls.
Prosecutors allege that between January and May 2026, Southworth used social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, as well as a website, to express hostility towards Trump and his supporters and to threaten violence against the president.
The indictment alleges that on April 7, Southworth posted a video on Instagram in which he called for Trump’s execution and allegedly urged people to “Kill Donald Trump.”
Authorities also accused him of targeting Trump’s former personal lawyer by publishing the attorney’s home address and photographs of the residence online.
Prosecutors further alleged that Southworth harassed members of the lawyer’s family through online messages and telephone calls.
The US Attorney’s Office said threats against the president and political violence would not be treated as mere rhetoric.
“Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.
Attorney General Todd Blanche also said the Justice Department would respond to threats against Trump’s life “with the full force of the law.”
Southworth pleaded not guilty following his arrest and is being held without bond, according to reports. He is scheduled to return to court next month.
If convicted on all three counts, Southworth faces a statutory maximum of five years in federal prison for threatening the president, five years for cyberstalking and two years for interstate telephone harassment.
The US Secret Service and FBI are investigating the case.
The Justice Department stressed that the indictment contains allegations and that Southworth is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
