During a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, President Trump suggested Iran could attack Los Angeles and San Diego, stating it would be a "small price to pay" for global safety, remarks that quickly drew sharp condemnation from California leaders.
Trump, speaking on Monday, expressed a desire for a "tremendous victory" in the upcoming election to validate his past actions. He then made the controversial statement about Iran's potential actions, which was met with cheers from the rally attendees.
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded on social media platform X, criticizing Trump's remarks as "deranged and dangerous." San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also posted, asserting that San Diego is "not collateral damage" and "not expendable," urging that the city be kept out of "reckless war talk."
The remarks were part of a broader, meandering speech in which Trump also discussed gas prices, his foreign policy actions in Venezuela, and criticized news organizations. He was in Nebraska to encourage votes in the state.
It remains unclear if Trump's comments were based on specific intelligence, and Iran's demonstrated capability for missile attacks on the U.S. is questionable. While Iran has previously launched missiles toward Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean, this location is outside the self-imposed range limits of its ballistic missile program. However, U.S. officials have long alleged that Iran's space program could facilitate the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Earlier in the year, law enforcement agencies in California received warnings about a potential drone attack from Iran, but sources indicated there was no credible intelligence to support such a threat, and officials did not consider it a serious concern.
