Trump's Iran Warning Names L.A. and San Diego, Sparks Pushback
Donald Trump told a Monday-night rally in Nebraska that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles or San Diego. The remarks were reported by The Guardian as a warning about Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
"They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego." He spoke at a campaign rally in Nebraska, according to the Los Angeles Times, and suggested Iran could strike those cities if it develops a nuclear weapon, as reported by ABC News.
He linked the warning to cost. Trump described high prices tied to the war with Iran as a "small price to pay for keeping the world safe – keeping our country safe." A separate account tied that "small price to pay for keeping the world safe" line to Iran taking out Los Angeles or San Diego, according to video reporting cited by Detroit News.
A White House aide said Trump did not call for attacks on U.S. cities and was explaining how he is preventing them, according to ClickOrlando. The aide described the comments as a warning meant to stop attacks, not allow them.
Republican House candidate Jim Desmond in California publicly criticized Trump over the comments about Los Angeles and San Diego. Desmond is a former mayor of San Marcos and a Navy veteran running in a San Diego-based U.S. House seat.
"No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage," Desmond said. Collateral damage is a military term for unintended harm to civilians. He added, "As a Navy veteran, I served to protect Americans, not write off American cities as an acceptable price of war."
Desmond is set to face Marni Von Wilpert for California's 48th congressional district. Von Wilpert is a lawyer and member of San Diego's city council. California's 48th congressional district was redrawn in response to Proposition 50.
Democratic leaders criticized the language within hours of the rally. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump within hours of the Nebraska rally. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, "The nuclear annihilation of an American city is no laughing matter."
The broader context here is about credibility and what voters expect. Presidential words about nuclear weapons and risks at home send signals to allies, to rivals like Iran, and to Americans. Extended deterrence means the U.S. promise to protect itself and partners, backed by the ability to strike back after an attack. When specific U.S. cities are named as possible losses, the White House tends to reframe the words as prevention, while local candidates feel pressure to distance themselves.
Looking at what this means for Southern California politics, the Desmond response is the one to watch. A Republican running in a competitive, redrawn San Diego district needs trust from voters in the place that was named. His reference to Navy service points to his background in protecting forces and civilians. Whether other Republicans join him or call the episode rhetorical excess will show how much room the party gives for disagreement on national security talk during the midterms, the elections that decide control of Congress.
