Trump Defends Iran Attacks as California Officials Condemn Threats to U.S. Cities

• by Shimanta Das
• October 7, 2026

In a recent rally, President Donald Trump appeared to make light of potential Iranian attacks on major American cities, drawing sharp condemnation from California officials. According to reports, Trump suggested that Iran could “take out” two major U.S. cities, specifically Los Angeles and San Diego, and indicated he would not be troubled by such a cost. “The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego, which is a major U.S. city, should be concerned,” Trump said, according to excerpts. His comments implied that if disrupting Iran’s nuclear program meant attacks on two major American cities, he was not troubled by the potential consequences. This rhetoric has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the president of trivializing the safety of millions of Americans.nnCalifornia officials swiftly responded, with Governor Gavin Newsom (D) slamming Trump as “deranged and dangerous” for his remarks. Newsom emphasized that Los Angeles and San Diego are not just populous metropolitan areas but also home to critical military infrastructure and economic hubs. “Los Angeles and San Diego are California’s two largest Southern California metropolitan areas and together are home to millions of residents, major military installations, international trade hubs and critical economic infrastructure,” Newsom stated. He condemned the president for seemingly willing to sacrifice these cities in pursuit of foreign policy objectives.nnThe two cities are indeed vital to U.S. national security. San Diego, the nation’s eighth-largest city, is located just 17 miles from the Mexican border and hosts Naval Base San Diego—the home port of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet—as well as Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, the main training center for Navy SEALs on the West Coast. Los Angeles also houses major military installations, including Air Force bases and Navy ports. Together, these areas represent a significant concentration of America’s defense capabilities. Despite Trump’s suggestions, U.S. defense officials have previously stated that Iran currently lacks the capability to launch a direct missile attack on the U.S. mainland, underscoring the improbability of such a scenario.nnThe president and other administration officials often claim that disrupting Iran’s nuclear program was essential for U.S. national security, and that any issues stemming from the conflict were necessary. However,