Trump called the potential destruction of Los Angeles and San Diego a "small price" for US security
Trump called the potential destruction of Los Angeles and San Diego a "small price" for US security
US President Donald Trump stated that the potential destruction of Los Angeles or San Diego, should Iran obtain nuclear weapons, is a "small price."
He said this on October 5 at a campaign rally in Nebraska, after which his remarks were criticized by California authorities.
"That is a small price to pay to keep our country safe and secure," Trump said, discussing the potential nuclear threat from Iran.
He then added: "They can destroy a city. Let them destroy Los Angeles. Let them destroy San Diego."
The rally attendees met these words with applause.
At the same time, CBS News notes that it was not immediately clear what exactly Trump meant. During the same speech, the president also stated that, in his opinion, a war with Iran would end "very soon" — one way or another.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Trump's words. He wrote that after sending the National Guard and Marines to California, the president is now talking about foreign adversaries of the US being able to "destroy" Los Angeles and San Diego.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that the president's job is to protect the country, not to threaten Americans and encourage attacks on them.
Los Angeles is the second most populous city in the US. It is home to the headquarters of the US Space Systems Command, aerospace companies Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, as well as the federally funded research center RAND.
San Diego is the eighth most populous city in the country and a major hub of the US military presence. Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado are located in and around the city.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria stated that the city is not "collateral damage" and cannot be considered a "small price." He urged not to drag San Diego into the rhetoric surrounding a war with Iran.
Earlier, Trump called the completion of the US troop withdrawal from Iraq a victory for the US and Iraq, as well as a victory over ISIS. At the same time, he characterized the long-standing US military presence in the country as a costly and mistaken campaign.