LOS ANGELES, September 4, 2026 — Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, of Los Angeles, was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested Thursday morning at his apartment in the city's Westlake neighborhood on charges of threatening to kill President Donald Trump, federal prosecutors said.
Southworth, the former host of the podcast "Yass, Jesus!" and a Christian reality show called "The Remix," faces three federal counts: threats against the president, cyberstalking, and making harassing telephone calls in interstate communications, according to a Justice Department news release. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison on the presidential-threats charge, five years for cyberstalking, and two years for the telephonic harassment count, prosecutors said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that the FBI and its partners arrested Southworth after the grand jury indicted him for allegedly threatening to assassinate President Trump and his attorney, Jay Sekulow. The indictment states the second victim was described as "President Trump's personal lawyer and that lawyer's family," who were not otherwise named. According to charging papers cited by The Hill, Southworth is also accused of publishing that family's home address and phone number and leaving voicemails warning that justice would come to their door.
Prosecutors said that from January to May 2026, Southworth used social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, along with a website, to publicly express his hatred toward President Trump and the president's supporters, and used those platforms to threaten violence against Trump. Among the evidence cited is an April 7 Instagram video in which prosecutors say Southworth called for the execution of Donald Trump, and stated, "This government is illegitimate and out of control. It's time for course correction. Kill Donald Trump."
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said there is zero tolerance for political violence, especially threats directed at the president, and that threatening an elected official with violence is a serious offense. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that the Department of Justice would respond with the full force of the law as threats against Trump's life escalate.
Southworth pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles and is being held without bond, according to court proceedings reported by ABC13 Houston. He is due back in court next month.
