Palisades fire suspect espoused left-wing ideology, prosecutors say

Published May 7, 2026 3:37pm ET | Updated May 7, 2026 3:47pm ET



The suspect charged with setting off the deadly Palisades fire that claimed a dozen lives in January 2025 was motivated by anti-capitalist beliefs, according to federal prosecutors.

Court documents submitted ahead of trial in the case against 30-year-old alleged arsonist Jonathan Rinderknecht indicate he resented the rich, felt “enslaved” by them, and admired Luigi Mangione, who is accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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