President Donald Trump faced immediate criticism from California officials after suggesting that Iran would be capable of destroying Los Angeles and San Diego should it successfully develop a nuclear weapon. Speaking at a rally in Nebraska on Monday, Trump framed the scenario as a direct consequence of potential Iranian aggression, stating, “Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego,” prompting cheers from the crowd.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the president’s comments, labeling them “deranged and dangerous” and later describing them as “disgusting and disqualifying.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the remarks dangerous and potentially compromising to public safety, asserting that the president’s duty is to protect the nation rather than threaten it. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also pushed back, declaring that his city is not expendable and urging Trump to keep Los Angeles and San Diego out of his “reckless war talk.”
The comments emerged amid heightened tensions following two thwarted terror plots in recent weeks: an attempted hijacking of a passenger flight bound for Israel and a suspected attack on a U.K. airbase hosting U.S. forces. While investigations are ongoing, both Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham have pointed to Tehran as a likely culprit, though specific evidence has not been publicly detailed.
During the same speech, Trump sought to downplay concerns regarding the economic toll of the conflict with Iran, characterizing the costs as a “small price to pay” for global and national security. He expressed confidence that the war was nearing its conclusion, adding, “It’s going to end very soon, and it’ll end one way or the other.”
Jim Desmond, a Republican candidate for Congress in a San Diego County district, also criticized the president’s language. A Navy veteran, Desmond stated on social media that while the U.S. must stand firm against Iran, no American city should be treated as collateral damage.
White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung defended Trump on Tuesday, dismissing the backlash as media overreaction. He argued that the president was highlighting the threats U.S. cities would face if Iran were not currently deterred from acquiring nuclear capabilities, noting, “America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”
The crowd cheering for threats against their own neighbors says more about America than Iran does.
Wait, so the argument is that threatening Americans with nuclear death deters Iran? I’m genuinely confused by the logic here. Can someone explain this again?
I’m surprised more Republicans aren’t publicly distancing themselves from this. Treating San Diego as expendable seems like political suicide for his base.
Does anyone else think framing nuclear annihilation of LA as ‘just a warning’ is the most dangerous rhetoric we’ve heard in years?
Newsom is right. It is deeply unprofessional for a president to casually mention destroying two major US cities, even as a hypothetical warning.