Trump Iran – California officials are criticizing Donald Trump after he suggested that potential nuclear attacks on U.S. cities were a small price for safety.
California political leaders have condemned Donald Trump following remarks he made at a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday. While discussing the domestic cost of living, Trump characterized economic strain as a “small price to pay” to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, for keeping our country safe,” Trump said at the event. “They could take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.”
Though the remarks were contextualized by Trump as a reference to economic costs rather than the actual destruction of the cities, California officials responded sharply to the hypothetical mention of Iranian attacks on U.S. urban centers.
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the former president, writing, “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 stated that the comments could compromise city safety. “The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles,” she wrote. “The role of a president is to protect the country. not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives.”.
Representative Derek Tran. whose district includes parts of Los Angeles. described the comments as “treasonous” and suggested they indicated concerns regarding Trump’s mental fitness. Former California First Lady Maria Shriver also criticized the rhetoric. noting that such statements should alarm Americans regardless of their location.
Trump’s record regarding Iran includes his decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 agreement that placed limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment and established monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On Tuesday morning, Trump posted about the Nebraska event, writing, “My Rally crowds and enthusiasm are unbelievable! Nobody has ever seen anything like it.”
Donald Trump Iran California Gavin Newsom Karen Bass Los Angeles San Diego nuclear weapons