Gay Christian podcaster and self-described LGBTQ+ activist Benjamin Azariah Southworth has been arrested in Los Angeles after being federally indicted over alleged threats against US President Donald Trump and the harassment of one of Trump’s former personal lawyers and his family.
Southworth, 40, faces three federal charges: threatening the President, cyberstalking and making harassing telephone calls in interstate communications.
He pleaded not guilty during an appearance in the United States District Court in Los Angeles and is reportedly being held without bond.
The charges remain allegations. Southworth is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors Allege Repeated Threats Against Trump
According to the federal indictment, Southworth used Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and a personal website between January and May 2026 to publish messages and videos expressing hostility towards Trump and his supporters.
Prosecutors allege that several posts went beyond political criticism and contained explicit calls for Trump to be killed.
The indictment reportedly includes a private message from January 2026 in which Southworth allegedly said he would not “waste the opportunity” if he were able to kill Trump.
Other material cited by prosecutors reportedly included videos containing direct calls for Trump’s death and fictional depictions of violence against the President.
The Department of Justice maintains that the alleged statements constituted criminal threats rather than political rhetoric protected under the First Amendment.
Whether prosecutors can establish that distinction beyond a reasonable doubt will ultimately be a matter for the court.
Former Trump Lawyer And Family Allegedly Targeted
Southworth is separately accused of cyberstalking an attorney who had previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer.
The lawyer has not been publicly identified by prosecutors and is referred to as “Victim 1” in the Justice Department’s account of the indictment.
Prosecutors allege Southworth published the lawyer’s home address on TikTok alongside photographs of both the lawyer and the residence.
The post was allegedly accompanied by language encouraging confrontation with the lawyer.
Southworth is further accused of leaving abusive online messages and voicemails for the lawyer’s son, publishing personal telephone numbers and making harassing calls to the lawyer’s wife.
The alleged conduct occurred between January and May 2026 and forms the basis of the cyberstalking and interstate telephone-harassment charges.
Southworth Was Known For Queer Christian Media
Southworth previously worked in Christian television and hosted The Remix, a reality and music program featuring Christian performers.
He publicly came out as gay in 2008 and later became involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy and queer-affirming Christian media.
In 2020, he began co-hosting Yass, Jesus! with actor and comedian Daniel Franzese, known for playing Damian in Mean Girls.
The podcast described itself as an interfaith and sexuality-affirming comedy show built around the belief that people should not have to choose between being gay and believing in God.
It used humour and religious discussion to explore queer interpretations of Christianity, LGBTQ+ experiences within churches and the complicated relationship between faith and sexuality.
The program later received a GLAAD Media Award nomination.
Southworth Described Conversion-Therapy Experience
Southworth has described himself as a survivor of five years of conversion therapy.
One of the videos cited in reporting on the federal case reportedly referenced that experience before Southworth allegedly made threats against Trump.
He has also described his activism as challenging Christian nationalism and anti-LGBTQ+ religious movements.
That history provides context for the political and religious anger expressed through his platforms, but it does not determine whether the statements alleged by prosecutors were lawful.
Experiences of conversion practices, religious rejection and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination can cause profound and lasting harm.
However, opposition to those practices — even furious opposition — remains legally and morally distinct from threatening violence against political figures, lawyers or their families.
Indictment Is Not A Finding Of Guilt
A federal indictment means a grand jury determined there was sufficient probable cause for the charges to proceed.
It does not mean Southworth has been convicted or that every allegation made by prosecutors has been proven.
He has entered a not-guilty plea and will have the opportunity to challenge the government’s evidence, the context of the statements and whether the alleged communications meet the legal requirements of the offences charged.
Prosecutors will be required to prove each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Southworth’s identity as a gay man, his Christian background and his past LGBTQ+ advocacy are not evidence of guilt or innocence.
The allegations concern the conduct of one individual and should not be used to characterise wider LGBTQ+ activism, queer Christian communities or opponents of the Trump administration.
Maximum Penalties Total 12 Years
If convicted, Southworth faces a statutory maximum of five years in federal prison for threatening the President.
The cyberstalking charge carries another maximum of five years, while harassing telephone calls in interstate communications carry a maximum penalty of two years.
That produces a combined theoretical maximum of 12 years if the sentences were imposed consecutively.
However, statutory maximums do not represent a guaranteed sentence. Any eventual penalty would depend on the offences proven, federal sentencing rules and decisions made by the judge.
The FBI and United States Secret Service are investigating the case, while the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is prosecuting it.
Advocacy And Alleged Violence Must Remain Separate
For LGBTQ+ communities, the case sits at an uncomfortable intersection of queer activism, religious trauma and extreme political rhetoric.
The Trump administration’s actions affecting transgender people and other LGBTQ+ communities have prompted anger, fear and sustained protest across the United States.
Peaceful advocacy, protest and forceful political criticism remain essential democratic rights.
Alleged threats to kill a political leader or target a lawyer’s family, however, are fundamentally different from opposing a government or campaigning for LGBTQ+ equality.
Southworth is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the case proceeds.
At the same time, queer communities can unequivocally reject political violence without minimising the discrimination, religious harm or political hostility that may shape an individual’s anger.
LGBTQ+ advocacy does not require — and cannot be strengthened by — threats against political figures or their families.
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