A man accused of igniting California’s deadliest wildfire has been charged with destruction of property by means of fire after federal records revealed he donated to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, allegedly set a blaze in January 2025 that escalated into the Palisades Fire, killing 12 people, destroying nearly 7,000 structures, and causing $150 billion in damages.

Rinderknecht, a former Pacific Palisades resident now living in Florida, is accused of maliciously starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Day 2025. The fire smoldered underground for days before reigniting under strong winds, becoming the Palisades inferno. Federal investigators linked him to the incident through witness accounts, cellphone data, and video evidence.

According to court documents, Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver on December 31, 2024, when he appeared “agitated and angry” to passengers. After dropping off a fare in Pacific Palisades, he parked near Skull Rock Trailhead, walked the trail, and filmed himself while listening to a rap song with themes of “despair and bitterness.” Environmental sensors detected the fire at 12:12 a.m. on January 1, 2025, but Rinderknecht initially failed to contact emergency services due to poor phone signal.

Rinderknecht later lied about his location during an interview with law enforcement, claiming he saw the fire from a distance. Geolocation data contradicted this, showing he was near the flames as they spread. He fled the scene but returned to observe the blaze and firefighters, recording videos of the destruction.

Federal authorities stated Rinderknecht’s actions caused “one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen,” resulting in widespread death and property loss. The case highlights the devastation wrought by the fire, which burned federal land and left thousands displaced.

Rinderknecht, born in France, donated $2 to a Democratic PAC linked to Biden’s re-election campaign in September 2020. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint and is set to appear in court. The Justice Department emphasized its commitment to accountability for the tragedy.