Trump's Comments on Iran Targeting Cities Spark Outrage

California officials condemned President Trump after he suggested Iran could attack Los Angeles and San Diego during a rally in Nebraska.

Speaking at the event Monday, Trump addressed rising fuel costs tied to the ongoing Iran conflict. He noted the national average price was $4.37 a gallon as of Tuesday morning. Trump argued the expense was acceptable for national security. He then said, “They can take out a city – let ’em take, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. That’s – this is a very small price to pay.”

The remarks triggered immediate criticism from state and local leaders. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X that Trump was “deranged and dangerous” for encouraging foreign enemies to target American residents. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria echoed the criticism, stressing that mayors do not treat U.S. cities as expendable or collateral damage in foreign policy debates.

San Diego City Council member Marni von Wilpert suggested the comments could justify a third impeachment. She argued that a commander-in-chief must protect citizens rather than treat communities as political bargaining chips. The criticism crossed party lines, as San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond publicly rejected the president’s stance. Desmond emphasized that keeping Americans safe remains the primary duty of government.

The conflict has already carried a heavy financial and human toll. The Department of Defense estimates the war cost at $43 billion. Since fighting began on February 28 in the Persian Gulf, 19 U.S. soldiers have died and hundreds more have been wounded.