LA Podcaster Arrested on Charges of Threatening Trump, Cyberstalking

Federal agents arrested a Los Angeles podcaster on Thursday, September 3, 2026, on charges of threatening to kill President Donald Trump and cyberstalking the family of one of the president's personal attorneys. Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, was taken into custody at his apartment in the Westlake neighborhood after being indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment, announced by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California, includes three federal counts: threats against the president, cyberstalking, and making harassing interstate telephone calls. If convicted on all charges, Southworth faces a combined statutory maximum of up to 12 years in federal prison. Prosecutors allege that between January and May 2026, Southworth posted videos on social media calling for Trump's assassination. In one video posted on April 7, 2026, Southworth allegedly stated, "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.