Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) on Tuesday voiced outrage over President Trump's recent rally comment suggesting that Iran could strike Los Angeles or San Diego without unacceptable consequences, saying a commander-in-chief should never treat American cities as expendable in wartime.
Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper, Bass said she was "horrified" by Trump's remarks, which she argued undercut the president's constitutional duty to protect the nation. "The role of the president is to protect and defend the American people," she said. "He went to war with Iran, and he basically said it's okay, that it's a small price to pay to attack 3.8 million people in the nation's largest city."
The controversy stems from a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Trump was defending the economic costs of escalating Middle East tensions. He told the crowd that confronting Iran was necessary to keep America safe, even if it meant potential retaliation. "It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," Trump said. "They can take out a city — let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."
Democratic leaders in California reacted swiftly. Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, called the president "deranged and dangerous" for what he described as Trump "saying our foreign enemies should 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego." Bass echoed that sentiment on social media, writing on X that the comment was "dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety."
The White House, however, pushed back on the interpretation. Communications Director Steven Cheung said Tuesday that Trump was not endorsing an attack but rather arguing that his Iran policy had prevented a nuclear-armed Iran from posing an even greater threat to U.S. cities. "The media freakout over President Trump's comments is not rooted in reality," Cheung said. "He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped."
This is not the first time Trump's rhetoric on Iran has sparked alarm. His decision to order airstrikes against Iranian targets earlier this year drew criticism from Democrats who warned of escalation. The latest remarks come as Trump's relentless media presence appears to be taking a toll on his approval ratings, with some GOP strategists privately expressing concern about his messaging discipline.
Bass, who has been a vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies, also linked the president's comments to broader national security concerns. She noted that Los Angeles and San Diego are home to major military installations and large civilian populations, making them high-value targets. "This is not a game," she said. "Millions of lives are at stake, and the president's words have consequences."
The backlash underscores a growing rift between the White House and California's Democratic leadership over foreign policy and domestic security. Earlier this year, Bass joined other mayors in opposing Trump's deployment of federal agents to Democratic cities, arguing it was a political stunt. The latest dispute adds another layer of tension as Trump ramps up his campaign schedule, including a Texas blitz that highlights GOP anxiety in key races.
Political analysts say Trump's comments could resonate with his base, which appreciates his blunt style, but they also risk alienating suburban voters in California and other battleground states. A recent poll suggested that GOP senators are warning that Trump's hardline tactics may be eroding the party's edge with moderate voters. Whether the Iran remark will have lasting political impact remains to be seen, but for now, Democratic leaders are using it to paint Trump as reckless and unfit for office.
