Trump suggests allowing Iran to “take out” LA and San Diego during campaign rally
Trump Suggests Allowing Iran to Take Out California Cities
Wertynews.com – Trump suggests allowing Iran to take out Los Angeles and San Diego during a campaign rally in Nebraska, remarks that drew sharp condemnation from California leaders. The president described an attack on either city as an acceptable sacrifice in the name of protecting the United States and the world.
The comments put two of the nation’s largest cities at the center of a political dispute over national security, presidential responsibility and the safety of civilian communities. Los Angeles is the second-most populous U.S. city, while San Diego ranks eighth.
Remarks at the Nebraska Rally
During the event, Trump said Iran could be allowed to strike an American city as part of a broader security calculation.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.”
Trump suggests allowing Iran to take out the California cities as millions of residents live, work and attend school across the two metropolitan areas. Both regions also contain major transportation systems, businesses, research organizations and military-related operations.
California Leaders Respond
Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the remarks and referenced Trump’s earlier deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in California. Newsom said the president was treating California residents as expendable.
“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. He is deranged and dangerous.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also rejected the comments, arguing that a president’s role is to defend Americans rather than speak of harm to U.S. communities as a strategic tradeoff.
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” Bass wrote.
Why Los Angeles and San Diego Matter
Los Angeles is a major population center and part of Southern California’s aerospace and defense corridor. It is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, as well as major aerospace contractors including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. The region also includes federally funded research organizations such as the RAND Corporation.
San Diego has a substantial military presence of its own. Naval Base San Diego is the homeport for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, while nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton serves civilians and active-duty personnel. Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is the primary West Coast training site for Navy SEALs.
Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego should not be portrayed as collateral damage in discussions of conflict. Trump suggests allowing Iran to take out the city, Gloria said in response, but its residents and military-connected families are not expendable.
“San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
FAQ for California Residents
What did Trump say about Los Angeles and San Diego?
At a campaign rally in Nebraska, Trump said Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego and described such an outcome as a small price to pay for national and global security.
Were the comments linked to a reported attack?
The remarks were made during campaign rhetoric. The statements prompted political condemnation from California leaders, but the comments themselves did not announce a specific attack or emergency.
Why did California officials object?
Newsom, Bass and Gloria said American cities and their residents should not be described as acceptable losses. Their responses emphasized the civilian, economic, research and military importance of Los Angeles and San Diego.