Politics & Government
Trump Says Iran Could 'Take Out' Los Angeles, San Diego, Drawing Backlash
The president's remarks drew criticism from Gov. Gavin Newsom and elected officials in Los Angeles and San Diego.
SAN DIEGO, CA — President Donald Trump's suggestion that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles or San Diego as a "small price to pay" drew criticism from California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and the mayors of both cities.
Trump made the remarks Monday during a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing the war with Iran and its economic effects.
"It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," Trump said. "They can take out a city, let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego."
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Newsom responded on social media, pointing to Trump's previous deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to California before criticizing the president's latest remarks.
"Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego," Newsom wrote. "He is deranged and dangerous."
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Newsom's press office also condemned the remarks, noting that more than 10 million people live in the two metropolitan areas.
"Let's be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America's largest cities," the governor's press office wrote on social media. "This is not normal. None of this is. And we will continue to remind folks of that every day."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Trump's remarks were dangerous and could jeopardize the city's safety.
"The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives," Bass wrote on social media. "In the face of irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said his city was "not collateral damage" and "not expendable."
"And we are never a 'small price to pay,'" Gloria wrote on social media. "Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."
The remarks also drew criticism from both candidates for the open 48th Congressional District seat in San Diego County.
Republican San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond said he "vehemently" disagreed with Trump.
"No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage," he wrote.
His Democratic opponent, San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert called Trump's remarks "appalling and terrifying."
"This is an impeachable offense by the Commander in Chief, who swore an oath to protect our country," she wrote. "Our homes, our families and our communities cannot be treated as collateral damage or a political punch line by this President."
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