Federal law‑enforcement officials announced Thursday that Benjamin Southworth, a 40‑year‑old former podcaster from Los Angeles, was taken into custody at his home after a federal indictment charged him with making threats against President Donald Trump, cyberstalking, and harassing telephone calls across state lines.
Social‑media campaign of hate
According to court documents, Southworth used his personal website, TikTok, Instagram, and two YouTube channels to broadcast his animus toward the president and his supporters from January through May of this year. The filings detail a steady escalation of hostile language, culminating in a March 31 Instagram video in which he declared, “Since the Supreme Court has ruled today that psychological, spiritual, emotional and physical torture known as gay conversion therapy is free speech, I want to practice my free speech as a survivor of conversion therapy for five years. Kill Donald Trump. Kill that m———— pedophile in the White House.”
Targeting the president’s attorney
Southworth also allegedly posted the home address and a photograph of Jay Sekulow, the president’s personal lawyer, in Brentwood, Tennessee. He further shared Sekulow’s phone number on his social‑media accounts, urging followers to “visit” the lawyer’s residence.
Legal repercussions
The indictment lists three counts: making threats against the president, cyberstalking, and transmitting harassing telephone calls in interstate communications. Southworth is scheduled to be arraigned this Thursday. Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a statement emphasizing that “we will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens.”
Background on the accused
Southworth previously hosted the podcast “Yass, Jesus!” and appeared on a Christian reality series titled “The Remix.” While his prior work focused on faith‑based content, the recent threats represent a stark departure from his earlier public persona.
Community impact
The case underscores the growing concern among law‑enforcement agencies about online radicalization and the use of digital platforms to incite violence against public officials. Residents of Los Angeles and the broader California community are reminded that threats of violence, whether expressed in person or online, are prosecutable offenses that carry serious penalties.
Authorities continue to monitor similar threats nationwide, reinforcing the message that the rule of law applies equally to all, regardless of the medium used to convey intimidation.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
