A man accused of igniting one of Los Angeles’ worst wildfires has been arrested after records revealed he donated to Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, faces charges of destruction of property by means of fire following the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, and caused $150 billion in damages.
Federal investigators allege Rinderknecht maliciously started a brush fire near a Pacific Palisades hiking trail on January 1, 2025. Though firefighters initially suppressed the blaze, it smoldered underground for days before reigniting amid strong winds. The resulting inferno devastated the coastal neighborhood.
Rinderknecht, who was born in France and previously lived in Los Angeles, had hiked the trail on New Year’s Day after dropping off Uber passengers. Witnesses described him as “agitated and angry.” During his walk, he recorded videos of the area while listening to a rap song with themes of “despair and bitterness” by French artist Josman, whose music video features fire-related imagery.
Court documents show Rinderknecht donated $2 to a Democratic PAC linked to Biden’s 2020 campaign on two occasions in September 2020. He was registered to vote in Florida but never declared a political party.
Law enforcement determined the fire began as a “holdover” from an earlier blaze, the Lachman Fire, which Rinderknecht is accused of deliberately starting. His cellphone data contradicted his claims about his location during the incident, placing him near the fire’s origin. After igniting the flames, he fled the scene but later returned to observe the destruction.
Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida and charged with maliciously causing a fire that led to catastrophic loss of life and property. Authorities emphasized the case aimed to bring “justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy.”