The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego criticize Trump after remarks about possible Iranian attacks on the cities

The mayors of Los Angeles and San Diego reacted after Donald Trump suggested, at a Republican rally in Nebraska, that Iran could destroy the two Californian metropolises. The American president’s statements prompted criticism from local officials and Governor Gavin Newsom.

Trump tried to justify the war with Iran as necessary for “maintaining the safety of the world” and said that the conflict could end “very soon,” without providing details. He maintained that Iran must be prevented from developing a nuclear weapon, then warned that attacks on American cities could take place, saying: “Let Los Angeles be destroyed! Let San Diego be destroyed.”

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria asked the president not to include the city in his “warlike and reckless” speeches, emphasizing that it is not “expendable” or collateral damage. Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, called the statements dangerous and said they could compromise residents’ safety.

Gavin Newsom accused Trump of being “mentally disturbed and dangerous.” The reactions came in the context of the campaign for the midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, a vote that could change the majority in Congress.