Podcaster Indicted in LA Over Alleged 'Kill Trump' Videos and Doxxing of President's Lawyer's Family

Federal prosecutors allege a Los Angeles podcaster posted videos calling for the killing of President Donald Trump and shared private contact details linked to the family of the president's personal attorney. Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, has been indicted by a federal grand jury and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

A federal grand jury has indicted, and authorities have arrested, the Los Angeles podcaster, 40, over allegations that he threatened Trump and harassed relatives of an attorney whom prosecutors described as the president's personal attorney.

Southworth was taken into custody on Thursday, 3 September 2026, at his apartment in the Westlake neighbourhood of Los Angeles, according to First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California.

Essayli said prosecutors allege that Southworth posted videos calling for Trump's assassination. He also alleged that Southworth published a home address and telephone numbers connected to the attorney's family, and left voicemails saying, 'justice comes to your door'.

The allegations concern a serving US president as well as people prosecutors say were targeted because of their connection to his personal attorney. The indictment begins formal criminal proceedings but does not establish that the alleged conduct occurred.

Alleged Posts Threatening Trump

Prosecutors allege that the conduct occurred through social-media posts, public broadcasts and direct communications between January and May 2026. The case concerns alleged threats directed at Trump and alleged contact with relatives of the attorney identified by prosecutors as the president's personal attorney.

Southworth faces one count each of threats against the president, cyberstalking and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.

The broadcaster said prosecutors also referenced an Instagram video posted on 7 April 2026 in which Southworth allegedly described calling for Trump's execution and urged viewers to kill the president.

The Instagram account said to have carried the alleged video has since been deleted, according to court-document reporting. Southworth has not been convicted, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

The alleged statements form part of a pending criminal case and are not findings of fact. Prosecutors must prove the charges in court, while Southworth has the right to challenge the allegations.

An alleged video included the words, 'Kill Donald Trump. Kill that motherf—ing expletive in the White House. Kill that traitor of the United States Constitution.' It also reported that another alleged video depicted a fictional scenario in which Southworth appeared to enter the Oval Office and raise a knife towards Trump before the clip ended with a scream.

No court has made findings on the alleged videos or the statements attributed to Southworth. The reporting is included to explain the basis of the charges, rather than to determine guilt.

Alleged Targeting of Attorney's Family

The cyberstalking and telephone-harassment allegations stem from prosecutors' claims that Southworth targeted members of the attorney's family. Essayli said the alleged conduct included publishing residential and telephone information and leaving voicemails for relatives.

This report does not identify the attorney or family members, and does not repeat any address, telephone number or other personal information allegedly shared online. The information is not required to explain the allegations and should not be further amplified.

Court-document reporting alleged that a January TikTok post included the attorney's address with a photograph of the property. The same report alleged that Southworth contacted the lawyer's son and shared telephone numbers belonging to relatives.

The alleged contact with the family forms the basis of the cyberstalking and interstate telephone-harassment accusations. Whether prosecutors can establish that the alleged conduct meets the legal test for conviction will be decided in federal court.

Charges and Potential Sentence

Southworth has been charged with three federal counts: threats against the president, cyberstalking and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications. If convicted on all counts, he could face a combined statutory maximum of up to 12 years in federal prison.

The 12-year figure is a maximum potential penalty rather than a prediction of any sentence. Any punishment would be determined by a court only if Southworth is convicted.

Before his arrest, Southworth had appeared in religious and media settings, including as a guest preacher at Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles. A 2024 church video shows him delivering a sermon titled Fearless Liberation, which predates the federal allegations.

Essayli said threats against the president are federal crimes and that his office would prosecute political-violence threats 'to the fullest extent of the law'. Southworth has not been convicted, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.