Newsom Calls for 25th Amendment After Trump’s Remarks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for President Donald Trump to be removed under the 25th Amendment after Trump said at a Nebraska rally that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, describing the potential loss as a small price to pay. The White House disputed critics’ interpretation, saying Trump was describing a danger the administration says the war was intended to prevent. Trump made the remarks on Monday, October 5, while discussing the Iran conflict and its costs. He told the crowd that continuing the war was a small price for keeping the country safe, then said, “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” The comments prompted condemnation from California officials and renewed calls by Democrats for action under the constitutional amendment. On Tuesday, Newsom called Trump mentally ill and urged that the 25th Amendment be invoked. He also said he had directed California’s State Threat Assessment Center to monitor possible foreign threats in case actors interpreted the remarks as an invitation to target the state. The reports do not establish that the center identified a specific planned attack or that either city faced a confirmed threat.