Trump doubles down on remarks about Iran hitting Los Angeles and San Diego: 'Let them'

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: President Donald Trump on Wednesday, October 7, returned to his controversial remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego during a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, suggesting Iran could attack either city, before adding that the US would not let such a scenario play out.

Trump first made the comments on Monday, October 5, in Nebraska, saying that "Let them take out Los Angeles, San Diego." Shortly after, Californian lawmakers sharply and publicly criticised the president’s remarks. 

Trump revisits California cities during Texas rally

Speaking on Wednesday, Trump again referred to the two cities while discussing the Iran conflict and its consequences for the United States. “You want to see trauma? I said it the other day: let them hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way. Let them hit. You want to see a horror show? You want to see problems? Let them hit,” Trump said.

The president then said that the US would prevent such an attack, adding that “we’re not going to let that happen. We protect our cities. We protect our country. We’re not letting that.”

The remarks came just two days after Trump first spoke about the attacks on two cities at a campaign rally in Nebraska, stating that “they can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.” The comments were made while Trump was discussing the economic effects of the conflict and higher fuel prices.

The White House subsequently said that Trump was referring to the potential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran rather than suggesting that the cities should be attacked.

White House communications director Steven Cheung publicly defended the remarks in a post on X, writing that “the media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality.”

Cheung added that “he was clearly stating US 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.”

California leaders condemn Trump’s remarks

Trump’s comments prompted sharp criticism from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom described them as “deranged and dangerous,” while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the remarks were “dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety.”

Newsom also directed California’s State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation after the president’s remarks, saying that any foreign actors could potentially interpret them as an invitation to target the state. 

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wrote on social media that “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.”

Republican California officials also distanced themselves from Trump’s comments. Jim Desmond, a Navy veteran and Republican congressional candidate, wrote that he “vehemently” disagreed with the president and said the first responsibility of the commander in chief was to protect Americans and the homeland.

Both Los Angeles and San Diego have major US military facilities. San Diego is home to Naval Base San Diego and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, while the Los Angeles area hosts Space Force and Air Force installations.