Podcaster Benjamin Southworth Arrested and Charged with Threatening to Kill President Trump

Indictment Details and Federal Charges in Los Angeles

Attorney Bill Essayli. Following his arrest, Southworth pleaded not guilty in court and is currently being held without bond while awaiting a court appearance scheduled for next month. A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against him on Wednesday, detailing offenses allegedly committed between January 2026 and May 2026.

According to the Department of Justice, Southworth utilized public online accounts across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, alongside a dedicated website, to express animosity toward President Trump and the president’s supporters. Prosecutors state that on April 7, Southworth published an Instagram video featuring explicit threats against the sitting president. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the federal response to such offenses in a public statement, noting that the Department of Justice intends to utilize the full force of the law against individuals issuing violent threats online.

Cyberstalking and Harassment Allegations Involving Associates

Beyond the threats directed at the president, the federal indictment outlines a broader pattern of cyberstalking and harassment targeting individuals associated with the administration. Investigators state that in January 2026, Southworth published a TikTok post disclosing the home address of an attorney who served as President Trump’s personal lawyer, designated in court documents as Victim 1. That post included a photograph of the attorney and a picture of the residence alongside the caption, “No peace for traitors.”

Prosecutors further assert that between January 2026 and May 2026, Southworth transmitted abusive online messages and voicemails to Victim 2, identified as the son of the attorney, while placing harassing telephone calls to Victim 3, the attorney’s wife. If convicted on all counts, Southworth faces a maximum cumulative sentence of twelve years in federal prison: five years for threatening the president, five years for cyberstalking, and two years for interstate telephonic harassment.

Legal Framework and Federal Enforcement Actions

As federal law enforcement agencies continue to monitor online platforms for illicit communications, the case against Southworth underscores the legal boundaries governing digital speech, interstate telecommunications, and the protection of public officials. The judicial proceedings in Los Angeles will continue next month as the case moves toward trial.