A 40-year-old podcaster has been arrested in Los Angeles following allegations that he threatened to kill former President Donald Trump. Benjamin Azariah Southworth, a resident of the Westlake area, was taken into custody on Thursday morning, 3 September, after a federal indictment accused him of making a series of threatening posts on various social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Southworth is charged with three serious offences: one count of threatening the life of the former president, one count of cyberstalking, and one count of making harassing telephone calls in interstate communications. The allegations date back to incidents reported between January and May 2023.
Prior to his arrest, Southworth was known for hosting the podcast “Yass, Jesus!” and previously presenting a youth-oriented music show called “The Remix,” which featured Christian artists. His online presence reportedly became a platform for vocalising his disdain for Trump and his supporters, leading to the current legal troubles.
The indictment cites that Southworth used these online channels to spread abuse and harassment toward the president and to make violent threats. Notably, a video posted to his Instagram account on 7 April included chilling remarks such as, “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.”
In January, Southworth is said to have published a TikTok post that revealed the home address of Trump’s former personal lawyer, accompanied by photographs of both the attorney and the property. In this post, he is quoted as saying, “No peace for traitors,” showcasing the aggressive tone he adopted in his online communications.
Further allegations include a series of menacing messages directed at the lawyer’s son and harassing calls made to the lawyer’s wife. In private text messages sent earlier this year, Southworth allegedly expressed a desire to harm the president, stating, “But if I could kill him, I wouldn’t waste the opportunity,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Commenting on the case, Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasised the seriousness of threats against public figures, noting that the Department of Justice would act decisively against such offences. “As threats against President Trump’s life escalate, the Department of Justice will respond with the full force of the law,” he declared, underscoring the importance of holding individuals accountable for violent threats.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, also made a statement condemning threats against the President, asserting that such actions are classified as federal crimes. He affirmed the determination of his office to address any threats of political violence. “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,” he stated on social media.
Should Southworth be convicted on the current charges, he faces severe penalties. The legal consequences could include a maximum of five years in federal prison for threatening the president and an additional five years for cyberstalking, alongside a potential two-year sentence for harassment via telephone.
As of now, both the White House and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California have not provided further comments following the arrest. This case raises significant concerns about the online climate concerning threats of violence against political figures and the legal ramifications of such actions in the digital age. The situation will continue to unfold as the legal process commences, drawing attention to the pressing issues of cyber harassment and the responsibilities of individuals engaging within digital spaces.