A Los Angeles podcaster faces federal charges after allegedly posting violent threats against President Donald Trump and harassing his personal attorney, marking another case of online rhetoric crossing into criminal territory.
Federal Indictment and Arrest Details
Benjamin Southworth, 40, was arrested Thursday morning at his Westlake neighborhood apartment by FBI agents. The former host of the podcast “Yass, Jesus!” and Christian reality show “The Remix” was indicted on charges of making threats against the president, cyberstalking, and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications. Southworth pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles and remains held without bond pending his next court appearance scheduled for next month.
Federal prosecutors allege Southworth conducted a sustained campaign from January through May, using multiple social media platforms including his website, TikTok, Instagram, and two YouTube accounts to express hatred toward the president and his supporters. Court documents state he encouraged “the abuse, harassment and intimidation of, and violence against, President Trump” throughout this period.
Specific Threats and Social Media Posts
According to court filings, Southworth posted a video on March 31 explicitly calling for violence against the president. Prosecutors also cite another disturbing post featuring a video depicting Southworth fictitiously teleporting into the Oval Office, positioning himself behind President Trump while raising a knife toward his head as if preparing to stab him. These posts repeatedly championed assassination and made direct threats against the president’s life, according to federal officials.
Beyond threatening President Trump, Southworth allegedly targeted the president’s personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow. Prosecutors state he posted Sekulow’s home address in Brentwood, Tennessee, along with photographs of the residence and the lawyer’s phone number on social media. He reportedly urged his followers to “visit” Sekulow’s home, actions that form the basis of the cyberstalking charges.
Legal Implications and Official Response
Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement emphasizing accountability for violent threats. “We will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens,” Blanche said. The case underscores federal law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to prosecute credible threats against government officials regardless of the platform used. It remains unclear whether Southworth has retained legal representation. The charges carry substantial potential penalties under federal statutes protecting the president and prohibiting interstate harassment and threats.