President Donald Trump suggestion at a campaign rally Grand Island, Nebraska Monday that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego drew quick criticism from Mayor Karen Bass and other California Democratic elected officials.
“The president of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,” Bass said in a statement.
“The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives. In the face of irresponsible threats, as Angelenos, we know how to stand together and protect our city.”
Trump said he wanted to “see a tremendous victory” in the November election “cause it verifies all the things we did. And again, remember, with the war it’s just artificial, it’s a little bit high.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” he continued. “They can take out a city, let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.”
On his X account, Gov. Gavin Newsom called Trump, “deranged and dangerous.”
There was no immediate reply to an email sent late Monday night to the White House Press Office seeking a response to the comments by Bass and Newsom.