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Comments by President Donald Trump at a Nebraska political rally interpreted by some as a suggestion Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego prompted a backlash in California.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday on X that he has directed the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor for any possible threats to California following the remarks.
Videos of the election rally Monday in Grand Island show the president discussing high prices.
“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit high. 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.”
Gov. Newsom condemned the remarks.
“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,” Newsom said in a post to X. “He is deranged and dangerous.”
In a statement to The Hill, Newsom called Trump “mentally ill” and called for his removal via the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lays out procedures for removing a president who is incapable of performing his duties.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a post on X that Trump’s comments had been misconstrued.
“He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped,” Cheung said. “America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”
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In a post to another account, Newsom suggested Trump’s comments might be considered “treasonous.”
Donald Trump’s remarks were dangerous — if not treasonous — putting a target on two of our biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs.I am directing the State Threat Assessment Center to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 6, 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also blasted Trump’s comments.
“San Diego, Los Angeles, and the entirety of our nation deserve better,” Bonta said on X. “This is a shocking low, even for Donald Trump.”
The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego, both Democrats, criticized Trump’s remarks.
““The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles said on X, calling Trump’s remarks “irresponsible threats.”
“We are not expendable,” Mayor Todd Gloria of San DIego said on X. “And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, both California Democrats, condemned the comments.
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This story was originally published October 6, 2026 at 10:44 AM.