Suspected Arsonist In Pacific Palisades Fires Arrested, Reportedly a Newsom Donor

Federal authorities have arrested a Florida man accused of deliberately setting the Palisades Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history — a catastrophic blaze that killed 12 people and caused an estimated $150 billion in damage earlier this year.

The suspect, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, is alleged to have intentionally ignited the fire on New Year’s Day in the Pacific Palisades area. Prosecutors say the blaze rapidly swept across the hillsides, destroying more than 6,000 homes and buildings before fire crews were finally able to contain it after more than three weeks.

“Today we are announcing the arrest of 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht on a criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what became the Palisades Fire in January,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli in a post on X.

“The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht started a fire in Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day — a blaze that eventually turned into one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, causing death and widespread destruction. Among the evidence that was collected from his digital devices was an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a burning city,” Essayli added.

Investigators say the fire began along a popular hiking trail overlooking the coastal community. Court filings indicate that Rinderknecht recorded video footage shortly after arriving at the scene and was listening to the rap song “Un Zder, Un The” by French artist Josman — a track whose music video features scenes of arson and urban fires.

According to investigators, Google records show that Rinderknecht, who was born in France, had listened to the song nine times and watched the music video four times in the days leading up to the inferno. Translated lyrics from the song include, “Daily life is killing me,” “I feel like I’m nowhere,” and “Too much bitterness in my head, I think about the mistakes we made.”

The 2018 music video reportedly depicts the rapper lighting fires in multiple scenes, ending with him holding a handful of burning cash — imagery authorities suggest may have influenced Rinderknecht’s actions.

According to the New York Post, investigators determined the suspect watched the flames spread for nearly a minute before fleeing down the trail. Court documents state he later filmed himself attempting to call 911, while simultaneously typing into ChatGPT: “Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes.” That interaction was captured in a screen recording and later recovered as evidence.

Authorities say Rinderknecht briefly left the area before turning around and following fire trucks back to the scene, where he recorded additional footage of first responders battling the blaze.

“While we cannot undo the damage and destruction that was done, we hope his arrest and the charges against him bring some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy,” Essayli said.

The Palisades Fire burned through 23,000 acres, leveling entire neighborhoods and sparking renewed debate over wildfire prevention, mental health, and public safety under state leadership that critics say has failed to maintain basic forest management and infrastructure.

The disaster coincided with the separate Eaton Fire, which killed 19 people. Officials have yet to determine a cause for that blaze.

Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida and is expected to be extradited to California, where he will face multiple charges related to what federal prosecutors have called a “malicious and deliberate act of mass destruction.”

President Donald J. Trump praised federal law enforcement’s coordination in apprehending the suspect, calling for “stronger deterrents and accountability” to prevent similar tragedies. The administration has emphasized the need for tougher penalties for arson and stricter oversight of public lands that have long been mismanaged under progressive state policies.

As Southern California begins the slow process of rebuilding, the Palisades Fire stands as a stark reminder of what can happen when ideology outweighs responsibility — and when law enforcement is left to confront the devastating consequences of preventable chaos.