White House defends Trump comment to let Iran 'take out' LA and San Diego

October 6, 2026

President Donald Trump sparked significant controversy after stating at a Nebraska campaign rally that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego, prompting strong reactions from California officials who interpreted his remarks as dangerous and potentially treasonous. California Governor Gavin Newsom directed the state's Threat Assessment Center to monitor for potential foreign threats following Trump's comments, while LA Mayor Karen Bass described the statement as encouraging attacks on Americans. The White House defended Trump's remarks, with Communications Director Stephen Cheung clarifying that the president meant these cities would have been threatened if the U.S. hadn't taken military action against Iran's nuclear program earlier in the year.

Who is affected

Residents of Los Angeles and San Diego
U.S. military personnel stationed at Naval Base San Diego, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Los Angeles Air Force Base, and Space Force headquarters
California Governor Gavin Newsom
LA Mayor Karen Bass
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
California state officials and agencies
President Donald Trump and his administration

What action is being taken

California's State Threat Assessment Center is monitoring the situation for potential foreign threats following Trump's statement
White House Communications Director Stephen Cheung is defending Trump's comments through statements on social media
California officials are publicly condemning Trump's remarks

Why it matters

This matters because both Los Angeles and San Diego house critical U.S. military installations that are essential to national security, including the Navy's Pacific Fleet home port and Navy SEAL training facilities. The president's remarks about allowing these cities to be attacked—interpreted either literally or as part of justifying previous military action—raises concerns about public safety, foreign actor interpretations, and the protection of major population centers. The incident also highlights the ongoing tension between federal and California state leadership, particularly regarding national security communications and their potential consequences.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC