President Donald Trump has triggered a backlash from California leaders after remarks at a Nebraska rally appeared to suggest Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego as he argued that the economic costs of war were a small price to pay for US security.
California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticised Trump following the comments, describing the Republican president as “deranged and dangerous.”
Trump made the remarks during a political rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday, about a month before the US midterm elections.
Speaking about the economic impact of the conflict with Iran, Trump said higher costs linked to the war were temporary and represented a relatively small sacrifice for protecting the United States and the wider world.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” Trump said, before adding that an enemy could “take out a city” and naming Los Angeles and San Diego.
Trump also said the conflict was nearly over and would end “very soon,” without providing further details.
The remarks immediately drew criticism from California officials, who accused the president of treating two of the country’s largest cities as expendable.
Newsom responded on social media by sharing video of Trump’s speech and recalling the president’s previous deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to California.
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” Newsom wrote.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the comments, saying statements suggesting a foreign government could attack an American city were dangerous and could undermine public safety.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria separately rejected any suggestion that his city could be treated as collateral damage.
The White House later disputed the interpretation that Trump was encouraging an attack on California.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump’s point was that Washington was fighting to prevent Iran from developing the ability to strike American cities, including Los Angeles and San Diego.
The controversy comes as Trump continues to defend the economic consequences of the conflict with Iran, including higher fuel, fertilizer and other commodity prices caused by disruptions to energy markets.
Los Angeles and San Diego are California’s two largest cities by population, while Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States after New York.
The dispute also adds another chapter to the long-running confrontation between Trump and California’s Democratic leadership as both parties intensify campaigning ahead of the midterm elections.
