Ex-LA podcaster charged with making threats to Trump granted bond

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KESQ) - A judge today ruled that a former podcaster from Los Angeles charged in connection with death threats against President Donald Trump can be released on bond to await trial, but the defendant will not immediately be set free.

Benjamin Azariah Southworth, 40, of the Westlake neighborhood, was charged in a three-count federal grand jury indictment this month with threats against the president, cyberstalking and making harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.

He allegedly threatened to assassinate Trump and his personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.   

The indictment filed in Los Angeles federal court alleges Southworth used social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to "publicly engage in and/or encourage the abuse, harassment and intimidation of, and violence against, President Trump."

The second victim was not identified in the indictment but was described as "President Trump's personal lawyer and that lawyer's family."  

Southworth is the former host of the podcast "Yass, Jesus!'' and a Christian reality show called "The Remix."  

Attorneys for Southworth argued that the defendant is not a danger to Trump, has been a reliable employee of a credit union for seven years, lives in Los Angeles with a partner and has longstanding ties to the community.   

"For years, Mr. Southworth hosted a podcast on faith and sexuality, produced by the same company that developed RuPaul's 'Drag Race,''' defense attorneys wrote in court papers. "The podcast shut down in January of 2025, but Mr. Southworth continued his political commentary online. He has no history of violence, no history of mental illness, and no criminal convictions."  

They also argued that the charge of threats against the president was not a crime of violence, adding that the government has offered no evidence that Southworth has taken any steps toward actually carrying out a violent act. Based on the alleged threats themselves and Southworth's track record as a political commentator online, "it appears clear that Mr. Southworth never had any intent to do so,'' attorneys wrote.   

The U.S. Attorney's Office countered that Southworth "presents a danger to the community and, by virtue of the gravity of the charges against him, a flight risk.'' Common conditions of pretrial release -- home detention, an unsecured appearance bond and ankle monitoring -- would not diminish the risk, prosecutors said.  

However, U.S. District Judge Wesley Hsu ruled Tuesday at the conclusion of a hearing in downtown Los Angeles that Southworth could be granted bond. The judge remanded the defendant to the magistrate judge who initially ruled to keep him locked up to set the amount of bond. A hearing date was not immediately set and Southworth will remain in custody for the time being.  

On April 7, Southworth allegedly posted a video on his Instagram account that contained a series of threats, including, "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,'' court papers show.   

Federal prosecutors contend that three months earlier, Southworth published a post on his TikTok account listing the home address of the personal attorney, along with a photograph of the attorney and another photograph of the lawyer's home. In the same post, Southworth allegedly stated, ``No peace for traitors."

From January to May 2026, Southworth also left a series of abusive messages online and over voicemail to the attorney's son, and made harassing telephone calls to the lawyer's wife, prosecutors allege.   

"Southworth is charged with posting videos calling for President Trump's assassination, then targeted the family of the president's personal attorney by publishing their home address and phone numbers, and leaving voicemails threatening `Justice comes to your door,''' First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a post on X.   

"Threats against the president of the United States are federal crimes,'' the post said. "We will not tolerate threats of political violence in the United States. My office will prosecute anyone who crosses that line to the fullest extent of the law."

If convicted, Southworth would face up to five years behind bars for threatening the president, a possible maximum of five years for cyberstalking and up to two years for telephonic harassment, prosecutors said.