‘Time for 25th’: Newsom hits Trump as Iran remark puts cities in ‘collateral damage’ spotlight
WASHINGTON, DC: California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the implementation of the 25th Amendment after President Donald Trump made remarks suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.
Speaking at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, ahead of the midterm elections, Trump described the economic consequences of the war with Iran as a “small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.” He then said Iran could potentially “take out” an American city, specifically naming Los Angeles and San Diego.
25th Amendment called after Trump’s remarks about California cities
President Trump is stoking outrage among California Democrats and at least one House GOP candidate after he suggested that he would allow Iran to “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego in exchange for the great cause of American safety if Iran were to attack the country.
California Governor Gavin Newsom led the charge, telling The Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 6, that Trump is “mentally ill.”
Gavin, in a statement, said it's “time for the 25th.”
Gavin’s statement comes a day after he wrote an X post on Trump’s remark, where he called Trump “deranged and dangerous.”
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.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 6, 2026
“Gavin Newscum is the worst governor in America, and he also may be the dumbest,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in response to the remarks.
Californian politicians target Trump after Iran remark
Newsom wasn’t the only California politician lashing out at Trump.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the statements about the city “could potentially compromise our safety.”
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.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) October 6, 2026
The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives,” said Bass, also a Democrat.
The Democratic mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria, said the city “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.”
What did Trump say?
“They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” Trump said while discussing the potential consequences of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“This is a very small price to pay and it’s gonna be over with very soon,” he added.
Defending Trump remark, the White House lashed out at the media coverage of the subject, saying the response to the remark was not rooted in reality.
“He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped. America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung on Tuesday, Oct. 6, said.
The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality. He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped. America is safer because of the President. Iran has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) October 6, 2026
“No, he didn’t, you buffoons,” the White House Rapid Response account wrote on X in response to a Los Angeles Times headline stating: “Trump suggests letting Iran ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego at campaign rally.”
No, he didn't, you buffoons. He was saying the U.S. is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon — which they would if they had the chance.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 6, 2026
What is 25th Amendment?
The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution establishes rules concerning presidential succession, vacancies and presidential inability.
Critics of Trump have argued that his remarks raise questions about his fitness for office, prompting calls to invoke Section 4 of the amendment, which provides a mechanism for declaring a president unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office.
Newsom's call is a political demand, not an invocation of the amendment itself. Section 4 can be triggered by the vice president and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments, followed by procedures involving Congress; a governor cannot invoke it unilaterally.
