Trump’s LA and San Diego comments ‘dangerous, if not treasonous’, says Newsom – US politics live

California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply condemned President Donald Trump after the commander in chief suggested during a campaign event that Iran could target major California metropolitan areas.

The controversy arose following a rally on Monday night in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Trump discussed the costs linked to conflict involving Iran. Arguing that elevated expenses were a modest tradeoff for national and international security, Trump stated, "They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego."

In response, Newsom labeled the statements "dangerous, if not treasonous" on the social platform X. The governor warned that the remarks placed a crosshairs on two major population centers as well as a critical US naval installation. Newsom announced that he instructed California's emergency operations and threat assessment personnel to remain on heightened alert, citing concerns that hostile foreign governments might view the president's rhetoric as an opening to target the state.

Local and state officials also voiced immediate disapproval. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a statement emphasizing that a president’s primary duty is safeguarding every American, stressing that no community should ever be viewed as disposable regardless of regional location or political leaning. Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate running to succeed Newsom as governor, criticized local Republicans for failing to confront the president over such remarks.

The comments also sparked pushback from within the Republican Party. Jim Desmond, a Republican seeking a competitive congressional seat based in the San Diego region, publicly stated that while the nation must confront Iran, the principal duty of the commander in chief remains the defense of the homeland and its citizens.

The White House disputed the criticism, maintaining that the president's words were being twisted out of context. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung argued in an online statement that Trump was describing a scenario of what might have occurred if a nuclear-armed Iran had not been deterred. Cheung stated that Iran lacks the military capacity to carry out such attacks and asserted that the country is safer under the current administration's leadership.

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions over national security issues and prior to an upcoming return of military personnel to the region. The aircraft carrier USS Lincoln is scheduled to dock in San Diego following an extended mission supporting operations tied to the Iranian conflict, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expected to welcome the crew.