A Christian podcaster, Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday and charged with making threats against President Donald Trump, including calls for his execution. He faces charges of harassing telephone calls, cyberstalking, and threatening the President's life.
According to court documents, Southworth allegedly posted a video to Instagram on April 7 stating, "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." The indictment also states that Southworth sent text messages in January 2025 that said, "but if I could kill him, I wouldn't waste the opportunity."
Southworth, identified as the "Yass, Jesus!" podcaster, is also accused of publishing the home address of an attorney who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, along with photos of the attorney and their residence. This act was allegedly accompanied by the phrase "No peace for traitors" on a TikTok post.
As he was escorted from his Westlake apartment in handcuffs, Southworth reportedly displayed a menacing facial expression towards a photographer. He is described as a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, having come out as gay in 2008.
Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "As threats against President Trump’s life escalate, the Department of Justice will respond with the full force of the law. We will hold perpetrators of violent threats accountable, and anyone who makes these threats online will not be allowed to hide behind their screens."
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized, "There is zero tolerance for political violence, especially for threats directed at the President. Threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense, and you will be arrested and charged as Mr Southworth found out this morning."
Southworth also appears to sell stickers featuring a mouse with the phrase "Kill Trump." A video posted on March 31 to the now-deactivated Instagram account "Holy Menace" reportedly showed Southworth saying, "Kill Donald Trump. Kill that motherf**** pedophile in the White House. Kill that traitor of the United States Constitution. That’s all."
According to the US Attorneys' Office, Southworth used online platforms to "publicly engage in and encourage the abuse and harassment of the President and to threaten violence against the President." Special Agent in Charge Armando Marquez of the US Secret Service’s Los Angeles Field Office stated, "The safety and security of those we protect is our highest priority, and we are committed to ensuring that anyone who threatens that – whether online or otherwise – will face justice."
Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office added, "Cyberstalking and threats of murder are not considered mere political rhetoric under the law, but are serious criminal offenses that lead to prosecution, as today’s arrest highlights."
If convicted, Southworth faces a maximum of five years in federal prison for threatening the President, five years for cyberstalking, and two years for telephonic harassment. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently being held without bond.