The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that the possible destruction of Los Angeles or San Diego by an attack during the war against Iran would represent an acceptable cost to ensure American security. The statement was made on Monday (5) during a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Commenting on the economic effects caused by the conflict, Trump said that Americans would face only a small cost in light of the objective of keeping the country protected. He then directly mentioned the two California cities.
“They could destroy a city. Let them destroy Los Angeles, let them destroy San Diego. This is a very small price to pay,” the president said. Trump added that the conflict would be nearing its end and said that the war would end “in one way or another.”
The statements provoked immediate reactions in California. Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of adopting a dangerous stance and criticized the fact that the president mentioned cities of the state as possible targets of a foreign attack.
“After sending the National Guard and the Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump now says that our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” Newsom wrote on social media. He then labeled the president as “disturbed and dangerous.”
Newsom’s statement refers to the mobilization of federal troops in Los Angeles during protests related to immigration policies. The governor has become one of Trump’s main critics and has clashed with the federal government over the presence of the military in the state.
The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, also challenged the statement. According to her, the president’s remarks could put the city at risk. “The President of the United States suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. His statements against our city are dangerous and could jeopardize our security,” she said.
Trump had previously said that the economic impacts caused by the war, such as rising fuel prices and other products, would be necessary to preserve the United States’ security. On Monday, he again minimized the internal cost of the conflict and said that the situation was “practically” resolved.
