President Trump, speaking at a campaign rally Monday, suggested Iran could \u201ctake out\u201d Los Angeles and San Diego \u2014 a comment that was possibly in jest but brought a quick reaction from leaders in California.<\/p>\n
Trump said he wanted to \u201csee a tremendous victory\u201d in the November election, \u201c\u2019cause it verifies all the things we did. And again, remember, with the war it\u2019s just artificial, it\u2019s a little bit high.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,\u201d he continued. \u201cThey can take out a city, let \u2019em take out Los Angeles, let \u2019em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The crowd cheered.<\/p>\n
His comment was met with criticism from California leaders.<\/p>\n
Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X<\/a>: \u201cAfter sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should \u2018take out\u2019 Los Angeles<\/a> and San Diego. … He is deranged and dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n Then from his press office<\/a> account: \u201cLet\u2019s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America\u2019s largest cities. This is not normal. None of this is. And we will continue to remind folks of that every day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSan Diego is not collateral damage,\u201d San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted. \u201cWe are not expendable. And we are never a \u2018small price to pay.\u2019 Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump made the remarks during a rambling speech in which he said gas prices would be lower soon, touted his ouster of Venezuela\u2019s dictator and made attacks on news outlets.<\/p>\n He was in Grand Island, Neb., encouraging residents of the deep-red state to vote as if he were on the ballot.<\/p>\n It was unclear whether Trump\u2019s comments were based on any intelligence, and it\u2019s far from clear that Iran has anywhere near the capability for a missile attack on the U.S.<\/p>\n In March, Iran launched missiles toward Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean island that is home to a strategic U.K.-U.S. military base. The Associated Press reported at the time that Iran has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting the range to 1,240 miles. Diego Garcia is well outside that range. U.S. officials, however, long have alleged that Iran\u2019s space program could allow it to build intercontinental ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n Also in March, law enforcement agencies across California were warned<\/a> that the Iran war could lead to a surprise drone attack in the Golden State. But sources told The Times there\u2019s no credible intelligence to support it and officials said they did not take it seriously.<\/p>\n Trump has long had a strained relationship<\/a> with Los Angeles, where he struggled to garner traction for his business ventures.<\/p>\n