California Leaders Condemn Trump's Remarks on Potential Iran Attacks

Leaders in California have strongly criticized President Donald Trump following remarks he made during a campaign rally in Nebraska, where he suggested that Iran potentially attacking Los Angeles or San Diego would be a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe." These comments were made in the context of rising gas prices attributed to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

California Governor Gavin Newsom described the president as "deranged and dangerous." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated, "The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives." She highlighted that both Los Angeles and San Diego are home to major U.S. military installations.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria took to social media, writing that the city "is not collateral damage" and demanding that Trump refrain from including it from his "reckless war talk." Governor Newsom also shared an article detailing Trump's comments on his official X account, calling the remarks "disgusting and disqualifying."

During the rally in Nebraska, Trump indicated the war with Iran was nearing its end. His statements about potential attacks on the Californian cities were met with cheers from some audience members.

Los Angeles, the second most populous city in the U.S., is home to the U.S. Space Force's space system command headquarters and Los Angeles Air Force Base. San Diego, the eighth largest city in the U.S., is located near the Mexican border and hosts significant military facilities, including Naval Base San Diego, the home port for the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, a primary training center for Navy SEALs on the West Coast. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, which employs approximately 70,000 service members and civilians, is also located near San Diego.