A Los Angeles podcaster and former television host has been arrested on federal charges of allegedly threatening to kill President Donald Trump, as well as cyberstalking and harassing the president’s former personal attorney and the attorney’s family, prosecutors said.


Benjamin Azariah Southworth was arrested Thursday, September 3, and charged with one count of making threats against the president, one count of cyberstalking and one count of making harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.


According to a grand jury indictment, the 40-year-old used social media and a website to publicly express his hostility toward Trump and his supporters.


The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that on April 7, Southworth posted a video on his Instagram account in which he threatened the president, saying, “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.”



Southworth is also accused of publishing the home address of an attorney who had served as Trump’s personal lawyer, along with a photograph of the attorney and their residence, accompanied by the phrase, “No peace for traitors.”


Prosecutors further allege that Southworth harassed the attorney’s son and wife through telephone calls, voicemails and online messages.


“There is zero tolerance for political violence, especially for threats directed at the President,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. “Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offence, and you will be arrested and charged as Mr. Southworth found out this morning.”


Southworth also promotes his merchandise designs through a website that describes him as a “GLAAD-award-nominated artivist based in Los Angeles ... He uses his platform to challenge Christian nationalism, anti-LGBTQIA+ bigotry, and Zionism.”


If convicted, Southworth could face up to five years in prison on the charge of threatening the president, a maximum of five years for cyberstalking and up to two years for telephonic harassment, prosecutors said.


Southworth pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.


By Tamilla Hasanova