President Donald Trump’s statement that Iran may “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego was condemned by California officials as “deranged” and “irresponsible.”
Trump said, “Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial,” when discussing the impact of the Iran War on US pricing during a campaign event in Nebraska on Monday. It’s a bit elevated. It’s a tiny price to pay to protect both our nation and the rest of the globe.
“A city may be destroyed by them. With applause from the audience, Trump declared, “Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego.”
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What Happened | Trump's comments about possible attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego drew criticism from California officials. |
| Where | Los Angeles and San Diego, California |
| Who Is Involved | Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass, Todd Gloria, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff |
| Issue | Trump's remarks about Iran and potential attacks on major U.S. cities |
| Response | California officials condemned the remarks and raised concerns about public safety. |
| Current Status | The White House says Trump was not advocating attacks on American cities. |
Trump Comments Draw Backlash in California
Trump frequently attacks California and its officials, especially Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is seen to be a possible 2028 presidential candidate. Trump seemed to be mocking the possibility of Iran attacking important American cities in his remarks at the event.
Steven Cheung, the director of White House communications, responded to the criticism on X by stating that the debate “is not rooted in reality.”
“He made it very evident that if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been prevented, American cities would have been in danger,” Cheung said.
Trump Comments Draw California Officials’ Rebuke
The president was chastised by state and municipal authorities for his remarks.
Newsom stated on X, “Donald Trump is dangerous and insane, saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego after sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California.”
The State Threat Assessment Center would “actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California,” Newsom said in a subsequent tweet.
“The President’s obligation to defend all Americans is sacred,” said to State Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The president’s comments promptly prompted reactions from the mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego, a significant U.S. Navy base. Trump’s “statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,” according to Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on X.
Bass stated, “A president’s job is to defend the nation, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives.” “As Angelenos, we know how to unite and defend our city in the face of reckless threats.”
San Diego Mayor Rejects Trump’s War Rhetoric
The Democratic mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria, stated on X that his city “is not collateral damage.”
Gloria said, “We are not expendable.” Furthermore, we are never a “small price to pay.” Don’t include our city in your careless war rhetoric.
Democratic senators from California denounced the president’s remarks as well.
California Senators Condemn Trump’s Remarks
On X, Sen. Alex Padilla charged that Trump was “inviting an attack on U.S. soil, putting millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of our servicemembers at risk while trying to get Americans to cheer for an attack on our own country.”
“What sort of Chief of Staff does that?” Padilla continued.
Sen. Adam Schiff responded to Trump’s statement that the conflict will soon come to an end.
“How many times have we heard that assurance?” On X, Schiff wrote. “And he is not bothered by the cost if it means attacks on two major American cities in the process.”
