Trump Says Iran Could Take Out Los Angeles and San Diego at Nebraska Rally as California Leaders Condemn Remarks

President Donald Trump said Monday at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, drawing condemnation from California leaders who said the remarks treated residents of the two cities as expendable, according to USA Today and FOX LA.

Trump made the comments while discussing higher gasoline prices tied to the war with Iran and arguing that Americans should accept the economic impact, USA Today reported. “They can take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay,” Trump said, according to both outlets. He added that the war was nearly over and described the costs as a small price for keeping the world safe.

California leaders respond

Gov. Gavin Newsom responded on social media, linking the remarks to federal deployments in California and calling Trump “deranged and dangerous,” according to USA Today. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote that his city is “not collateral damage” and is never a small price to pay. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the remarks dangerous and said they could compromise public safety, writing that the role of a president is to protect the country.

California Sen. Adam Schiff also criticized the comments, questioning whether Trump would be troubled by an attack on two American cities, USA Today reported.

Major cities at the center of the dispute

Los Angeles and San Diego are the two largest metropolitan areas in Southern California and are home to millions of residents, along with major military installations, trade hubs and other economic infrastructure, according to USA Today.

The White House had not immediately responded to the criticism from Newsom and Gloria, USA Today reported.

Reporting based on coverage by USA Today and FOX LA.