California leaders hit back after Trump says Iran can 'take out' LA and San Diego
California officials have strongly criticized Donald Trump for suggesting that Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego. The White House defended the comments as a hypothetical scenario regarding national security.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights the intense political polarization and the sensitivity of national security rhetoric in US domestic politics.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Jamie Whitehead and Bernd Debusmann Jr , White House reporter Trump on Iran: 'Let them take out LA, let them take out San Diego' Donald Trump's remark that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego has sparked fierce backlash from California politicians - and a strongly worded rebuttal from the White House.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the comment - made by Trump at a campaign rally in Nebraska - as "deranged and dangerous," while LA Mayor Karen Bass described them as threats and an attempt to "encourage attacks on American lives".
According to the White House, however, Trump was saying that American cities would have been threatened by Iran had he not launched a war there earlier this year.
Both LA and San Diego house major US military installations including Navy ports and Air Force bases.
Also covering this story
12 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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