California's Democratic leaders and some Republicans sharply criticized President Donald Trump after he suggested that Iran could "take out" major US cities like Los Angeles or San Diego, asserting it was a "small price to pay" to keep the world safe.
Trump made the remarks at a political rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing American wartime economic sacrifices. He stated, "They could take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over with very soon." He added that the conflict was "essentially almost over with" and would "end one way or the other."
The White House later dismissed the criticism, with Director of Communications Steven Cheung stating on social media that the media's reaction was "not rooted in reality" and that Trump was "clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped." Cheung asserted that "America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money."
The comments drew immediate backlash from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom denounced Trump as "deranged and dangerous," questioning why he would suggest foreign enemies should "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that the president suggesting a foreign government could attack Los Angeles was "dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety."
US Representative Sara Jacobs, representing a district near San Diego, echoed these concerns, stating that her constituents, including many active duty service members, veterans, and their families, "are not acceptable collateral damage in Trump’s stupid war." Republican Jim Desmond, running in a competitive district near San Diego, also distanced himself from Trump's remarks, emphasizing that "No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."
