The White House on Monday defended Donald Trump's remark at a Nebraska campaign rally that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, as California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the comment as an attack on American cities.
Trump made the remark while discussing Middle East tensions during the rally, suggesting he would not intervene if Iran targeted the two California cities. The comment drew immediate backlash from California officials and Democratic leaders, who accused the former president of inviting violence against U.S. soil.
Newsom, who has repeatedly clashed with Trump over California policy, called the statement "un-American" and said no elected official should wish harm on American communities. The governor's office said the remark endangered millions of residents in the country's two largest West Coast cities.
The White House press office responded by saying Trump's comments were taken out of context and that he was making a point about the cost of overseas military commitments, not advocating for attacks on U.S. cities. A spokesperson said Trump has consistently taken a hard line against Iran and its nuclear ambitions.
Trump's rally appearance in Nebraska was aimed at boosting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. Nebraska is not considered a battleground for the presidency, but the state splits its electoral votes by congressional district, making it relevant in close national races.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria did not immediately issue public statements, but both cities have large populations and major military installations, including Naval Base San Diego and Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. Any threat to those areas would carry significant national security implications.
The remark comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program and its support for proxy groups in the Middle East. The Biden administration has pursued diplomatic channels while maintaining sanctions, and Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent months, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump's comment also drew criticism from veterans groups and foreign policy analysts, who said suggesting that an adversary could strike American cities undermines deterrence. Several Republican strategists declined to comment on the record, signaling unease within the party about the remark's political fallout.
California is the most populous state in the country with nearly 39 million residents, and Los Angeles and San Diego together account for more than 4.5 million people. Trump lost California by more than 5 million votes in 2020 and has frequently criticized the state's leadership on immigration and crime.
