President Donald Trump sparked a backlash Monday night after suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally in Nebraska.
Trump made the remarks while defending the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and addressing higher gasoline prices, which he characterized as a “small price to pay” for keeping the United States and the world safe.
He then discussed the potential threat posed by Iran, saying the country could “take out a city” before naming the two California cities.
“Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” Trump said.
The comments immediately drew criticism from California officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. Bass said the president’s role was to protect the country rather than threaten it or encourage attacks on Americans. Gloria said San Diego was “not collateral damage” and pushed back against the idea that the city was expendable.
Trump’s remarks were made in the context of his argument that the Iran conflict is preventing the country from developing the capability to threaten American cities. The White House later said Trump was describing a hypothetical danger that would exist if Iran were able to develop nuclear capabilities, rather than advocating an attack on U.S. cities.
The distinction has not stopped the backlash.
San Diego is also home to major U.S. military installations, adding another layer to the reaction to Trump’s decision to specifically name the city. Reuters reported that San Diego has a substantial military presence, including more than 115,000 active-duty service members in the area.
Trump also told the Nebraska crowd that the war was nearing its end, saying it was “essentially almost over with.”
For California leaders, however, the focus quickly shifted from gas prices and the war’s duration to the president’s choice of words — and his decision to put two major American cities at the center of the discussion.
