Federal Agents Arrest LA Podcaster for Alleged Threats Against President Trump

Key points

• Southworth was arrested at his Westlake neighborhood apartment on September 3, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment.
• He faces three charges: threats against the president, cyberstalking, and harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.
• Prosecutors allege he posted a video on April 7, 2026, stating, 'Kill Donald Trump,' and calling for the president's execution.
• The indictment claims he published the home address and photo of Trump’s personal attorney, along with threatening voicemails to the attorney’s wife and son.
• If convicted, Southworth faces a maximum sentence of five years for the threat, five years for cyberstalking, and two years for harassment.

Background

This case follows a pattern of federal actions against individuals making violent threats against political figures. In late August 2026, a North Carolina teenager was indicted for aiding a mosque shooting plot, highlighting concerns about online radicalization. Earlier in 2026, federal operations also targeted financial fraud networks, but the current case focuses on direct threats against the executive branch. Southworth’s background includes hosting the Christian reality show 'The Remix' in the late 2000s and later launching the podcast 'Yass, Jesus!' in 2020.

How outlets are covering it

ABC7 and USA Today reported the core facts of the arrest and charges, noting the involvement of the FBI and Secret Service. Fox News provided additional background, identifying Southworth as a former Christian reality TV star and current LGBT podcaster, and cited a New York Post report that he shouted 'Donald Trump is a pedophile' during his arrest. Fox News also noted that his website, 'Holy Menace,' still sells stickers with the slogan 'Kill Trump.' Attorney General Todd Blanche and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the Justice Department’s zero-tolerance policy for political violence, while White House spokesperson Davis Ingle condemned the threats and called for psychiatric intervention for those engaging in 'assassination culture.'

Why it matters

The case underscores the federal government’s intensified approach to prosecuting online threats against the president. It highlights the legal consequences of doxxing public figures and their families, as well as the potential for social media platforms to be used for violent intimidation. The maximum 12-year sentence signals a significant penalty for such offenses, aiming to deter similar actions.

What to watch

Southworth is expected to appear in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles for his arraignment. The case will proceed through the federal judicial system, where the validity of the evidence and the severity of the charges will be determined. No trial date has been announced, but the outcome could set a precedent for prosecuting online political threats.