Mayors of San Diego, LA Slam Trump Saying Destruction 'Small Price To Pay'
Newsweek · C · trust 41/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego have hit out at President Donald Trump after he suggested Iran could "take out" the cities.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday, the president defended the war with Iran, saying it was a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe."
He added: "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."
The remarks quickly sparked criticism on social media, including from several Democratic leaders in California.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned Trump's comments, writing on X: "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.
"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."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also hit out, writing on X: "San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a 'small price to pay.' Keep our city out of your reckless war talk."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been floated as a 2028 Democratic presidential candidate , spoke out against Trump in several posts on X.
"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," he wrote in a post on his personal account.
On his official government account, he wrote, "Disgusting and disqualifying."
In a separate post, an account for Newsom's press office wrote: "Let's be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S. residents in two of America's largest cities. This is not normal. None of this is. And we will continue to remind folks of that every day."
Newsweek has contacted the White House, Newsom, Bass and Gloria for further comment via emails sent outside regular business hours.
Xavier Becerra, former President Joe Biden's health secretary who is now running for California governor, wrote on X: "Thirteen million Californians call LA and San Diego counties home. Their lives are not a 'small price to pay' or a punchline for Donald Trump."
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for California's 48th Congressional District, also criticized the president's remarks.
"I vehemently disagree with President Trump's comments. America must stand up to Iran and defend our interests, but the first responsibility of our Commander in Chief is to protect the American people and our homeland," Desmond wrote on X.
"As a Navy veteran, I served to protect Americans, not write off American cities as an acceptable price of war," he continued. "Our job is to keep Americans safe, stand up to our enemies, and make sure a threat like that never becomes reality. No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage."
Trump has long had a contentious relationship with California, often attacking the state over policies he opposes on immigration, crime, homelessness and other issues.
He has often singled out the Golden State as an example of what he describes as the shortcomings of Democratic governance, making California a recurring target in speeches and social media posts. The president has also frequently criticized California leaders, including Newsom and Bass.
Last year, Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against his administration's immigration crackdown. A federal judge later ruled the Trump administration violated federal law by sending National Guard troops to the city.
California has responded to the administration's policies with dozens of lawsuits since Trump returned to office last year, including recently suing over a rollback of fuel efficiency standards for cars.
November's midterm elections in deep blue California will be conducted under a newly redrawn congressional map that could help Democrats gain five seats in the U.S. House.
California voters approved the map spearheaded by Newsom last year, giving Democrats their best chance to make up seats that could be lost after Texas and other Republican-led states redrew congressional boundaries at Trump's urging to help the GOP maintain its slim House majority. Republicans hold 219 seats to Democrats' 214.
Voters will also choose a new governor in November , since the term-limited Newsom cannot seek reelection. In the gubernatorial race, Becerra, a former California attorney general, is facing former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, who is hoping to be the first Republican elected to statewide office in California since 2006.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Shakeema Edwards .
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