California Governor Gavin Newsom is sharply condemning President Donald Trump after remarks at a Nebraska rally suggested Iran could attack American cities.
Trump made the comments at a political rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, roughly one month before midterm elections that could return Democrats to congressional control.
“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, and it’s going to be over very soon,” Trump said at the rally.
Trump framed the remarks within his broader argument that high gas prices and other wartime costs are justified by the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Newsom wasted no time responding, posting a video clip of Trump’s Grand Island comments alongside a direct rebuke on his X account.
“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,” Newsom wrote.
Newsom also pointed to American military casualties, specifically referencing a Nebraska servicemember lost in the conflict with Iran.
“At least 19 servicemembers have made the ultimate sacrifice in Trump’s unauthorized war with Iran — including Noah Tietjens of Nebraska,” he posted on social media.
Newsom accused Trump of actively encouraging an attack on American soil while seeking applause from a domestic political crowd.
His press office expanded on that criticism in a follow-up post, stating: “Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million US 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.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Trump’s statements “could potentially compromise our safety,” adding that “the role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also responded directly to Trump, telling the president to “keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
Trump has repeatedly argued that economic pain from the war, including elevated gas prices, represents a worthwhile trade-off for national and global security.
Newsom, a Democrat widely seen as a prominent political adversary of Trump, remains a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
