Staff Reports
The FBI says it arrested a Los Angeles man after a federal grand jury indicted him for threatening President Donald Trump and for cyberstalking and harassing the president’s personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow. Benjamin Azariah Southworth now faces federal counts that could carry prison time if he is convicted. The Justice Department and FBI framed the arrest as part of a zero-tolerance approach to violent online threats — and they should be.
What prosecutors say happened
Federal charging papers say Southworth used YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and a website from January through May to post hateful messages about the President and his supporters. The indictment alleges he posted a video saying “Kill Donald Trump,” published an attorney’s home address and phone number and urged followers to “visit” that home, and left abusive voicemails for the attorney’s family. Those actions led to three counts: threats against the President, cyberstalking and interstate telephonic harassment. If convicted, he faces up to five years on the threats charge and up to seven more years combined on the other counts.
Why this arrest matters — and why we should care
Threats against a sitting President are not just words on a screen. They trigger security risks and place families in danger. Attorney General Todd Blanche was right to say the Department of Justice will use “the full force of the law.” FBI Director Kash Patel called the alleged posts “vile” and “criminal,” and the agencies moved quickly with their partners to make an arrest. That is law-and-order in action — not theater.
Accountability needs to be broad, not selective
Yes, punishing violent threats is sensible. But we also need a steady hand that enforces the law evenly. The internet has become a place where doxxing and mob pressure hide behind anonymity and algorithms. Tech platforms must stop acting like helpless bystanders when people are doxxed or urged to attack private citizens. And prosecutors should apply the same pressure whether the target is a conservative or a liberal — selective enforcement will only erode trust in the system.
Bottom line
The arrest of Benjamin Southworth is a reminder that online threats can have real-world consequences. Watch the arraignment and the court filings for more detail on the alleged posts and messages. Meanwhile, we should applaud law enforcement for acting and demand that both platforms and prosecutors do their jobs — quickly, fairly and without partisan silliness. If the internet wants freedom, it has to learn responsibility too.
