Podcaster indicted for threatening to assassinate Trump, doxxing attorney with grim voicemails

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles podcaster Benjamin Azariah Southworth has been indicted by a federal grand jury after prosecutors accused him of repeatedly calling for President Donald Trump’s assassination and targeting the family of Trump’s personal attorney.

Southworth was arrested on Thursday, September 3, in Los Angeles and faces federal charges involving threats against the president.

The allegations stem from social-media posts, private messages and communications prosecutors reportedly say were intended to intimidate their targets.

Podcaster arrested for threatening Trump

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli announced Southworth’s indictment and arrest, laying out the allegations in a sharply worded statement on X.

Essayli said Southworth had posted videos calling for Trump’s assassination before allegedly turning his attention to the family of the president’s personal attorney.

According to Essayli, Southworth published the family’s home address and telephone numbers and subsequently left voicemails containing a warning that “justice comes to your door.”

Essayli highlighted the case as an example of the federal government’s response to threats of political violence.

“Threats against the President of the United States are federal crimes,” Essayli said.

He added that his office “will not tolerate threats of political violence in the United States” and would prosecute people who cross that line “to the fullest extent of the law.”

Prosecutors cite repeated Trump threats

Southworth’s alleged conduct, according to the indictment, unfolded across several months, with prosecutors tracing the threats back to his online activity between January and May.

One incident cited by prosecutors occurred on April 7, when Southworth allegedly posted an Instagram video in which he said he had openly called for Trump’s execution before going on to urge that the president be killed.

The court filings also detail private messages in which Southworth allegedly talked about wanting to kill Trump, adding another layer to the threats described by authorities.

Prosecutors further point to a digitally altered video posted in April that allegedly showed Southworth standing behind Trump in the Oval Office, holding a knife close to the president’s head.

His online activity allegedly extended beyond social-media posts.

Southworth operated a website called 'holymenace', where he sold 'Kill Trump' stickers for $5.

Southworth allegedly referred to the White House Correspondents' dinner shooter as a "hero" in one of his videos.

Prosecutors contend that he made the statements deliberately and understood they could be perceived as genuine threats, rather than dismissing them as political speech or rhetoric.

Trump's personal attorney targeted

The case against Southworth also involves allegations that he turned his attention toward the president’s legal circle and the attorney’s family.

According to prosecutors, he posted the lawyer’s home address on TikTok in January, along with a photo of the residence.

The post allegedly identified the attorney and carried the message, “No peace for traitors.”

The allegations then took a more personal turn in February.

Prosecutors say Southworth published phone numbers belonging to the attorney’s son and other close family members, while urging others to contact them.

The indictment further alleges that the family received threatening and harassing voicemails as the campaign continued.

The alleged escalation ultimately put Southworth in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors, who say the conduct crossed the line into criminal threats and harassment.