Trump "Take LA" Remarks Spark Backlash: Newsom Orders Threat Monitoring, San Diego Mayor Objects
President Donald Trump said at a Nebraska campaign rally on Oct. 5: "They can take a city. Let them take Los Angeles, let them take San Diego. It is a small price to pay." California officials quickly pushed back.
Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted Trump as "deranged and dangerous" on social media, saying he directed the State Threat Assessment Center to closely monitor the situation in case foreign actors interpret the remarks as "an invitation to attack California." Newsom also revealed the Cal OES director briefed him on a "concerning uptick" in cyber threat intelligence, with the State Operations Center activated.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also objected, saying San Diego should not be treated as "collateral damage" in a foreign conflict. LA Mayor Bass had earlier called the remarks "dangerous and could compromise our safety."
The White House responded swiftly. Communications Director Steven Cheung said criticism of Trump's remarks was "detached from reality," arguing the president meant to emphasize the U.S. is preventing Iran from gaining the ability to strike Los Angeles and San Diego. (Via U.S. media including Desert Sun, KION, Washington Examiner)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
