President Donald Trump’s remarks about the possibility that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with Democrats claiming the president was either calling for a foreign adversary to attack the U.S.
or portraying the destruction of two major cities as acceptable collateral damage.
But given the full context — as well as Trump’s numerous past comments on this issue and the White House’s later clarification — that’s not our reading of the president’s comments.
While his wording is confusing, a more plausible interpretation is that he meant the war would prevent Iran from posing a threat to U.S.
cities, and higher gas prices are a small sacrifice to make.
He’s made versions of those points before, using similar language.
Trump’s remarks came during an Oct.
5 rally in Nebraska.
“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial.
It’s a little bit high,” he said, apparently referencing gas prices.
“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.
They could take out a city.
Let them take — let it — let them take out Los Angeles.
Let them take out San Diego.
“That’s — this is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon,” he continued.
“It’s essentially almost over with.” The speech quickly drew outraged responses from Democrats in California and nationally.
“After sending the National Guard and Marines to occupy California, Donald Trump is now saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego,” California Gov.
Gavin Newsom wrote on X.
“He is deranged and dangerous.” Newsom’s press office subsequently posted, “Let’s be clear: The President is advocating for an attack on 10+ million U.S.
residents in two of America’s largest cities.” Newsom posted again the following day, calling Trump’s remarks “dangerous — if not treasonous” and saying that he was directing the state “to actively monitor the situation in the event that foreign actors interpret the President’s remarks as an invitation to target California.” “The President says the Iran war will end ‘very soon,’” Democratic Sen.
Adam Schiff of California posted.
“How many times have we heard that promise? And if it means attacks on two major American cities in the process, he is not troubled by the cost.” “I can’t believe we have to say this, but the annihilation of two major American cities — more than 5 million people — is not a ‘small price to pay’ for Trump’s illegal war,” Sen.
Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, wrote on X.
Trump’s remarks were admittedly confusing, in keeping with his characteristically roundabout style of speaking.
His speeches at rallies frequently veer off on tangents before circling back to an earlier point.
It doesn’t help that some in the crowd in Nebraska began cheering as he said, “Let them take out Los Angeles.
Let them take out San Diego,” though Trump himself didn’t seem....
