Trump Faces 25th Amendment Call After Saying He Would Let Iran 'Take Out' Los Angeles and San Diego

President Donald Trump is facing a call from California Governor Gavin Newsom for the 25th Amendment after remarks about Iran potentially 'taking out' Los Angeles and San Diego. Trump made the comments at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday, 5 October, while defending the war with Iran and its economic costs.

Newsom urged action on Tuesday, 6 October, telling The Hill: 'TIME FOR THE 25TH!' The White House rejected the interpretation that Trump was advocating an attack, saying he was describing the danger US cities could face from a nuclear-armed Iran.

California Leaders Condemn Trump's Remarks

Trump's comments came during a discussion of higher fuel prices, which he argued were justified by the need to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

'It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,' he told supporters. He then 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.'

The wording drew condemnation from California officials. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the remarks as dangerous and said the president's role was to protect the country rather than threaten it or encourage attacks on Americans.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also rejected the suggestion that his city could be treated as expendable. 'San Diego is not collateral damage,' he wrote. 'We are not expendable.'

Newsom characterised Trump as 'mentally ill' in comments to The Hill supporting his call for the 25th Amendment. He had previously described the president as 'deranged and dangerous'.

The governor also said he had directed California's State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation in case foreign actors interpreted the remarks as an invitation to target the state. That announcement did not establish that authorities had identified a specific planned attack.

White House Disputes Interpretation of Comments

White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump was not advocating attacks on American cities. He said the president was explaining that US cities could have been endangered if Iran had been allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

That response places the remarks within the administration's stated justification for the war. It does not change the wording that prompted the criticism, but it disputes the interpretation that Trump was expressing willingness to accept attacks on California.

The Los Angeles Times reported that it was unclear whether the comments were based on intelligence. The remarks themselves did not identify a specific threat assessment concerning either city.

California leaders and the White House have therefore offered sharply different interpretations: critics described the language as reckless, while the administration said Trump was outlining a danger the conflict was intended to prevent.

What Section 4 Would Require

Newsom's demand does not activate the 25th Amendment. A governor cannot initiate the constitutional process alone.

Under Section 4, the vice president and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments—or another body established by Congress—can submit a written declaration that the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office.

The declaration must be sent to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The vice president then assumes the powers and duties of the office as acting president.

If the president contests the declaration, the vice president and the relevant majority have four days to submit a further written declaration stating that the president remains unable to discharge the powers and duties of office. Congress then decides the dispute and, if it is not in session, must assemble within 48 hours.

Congress has 21 days after receiving the second declaration to determine whether the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office. If Congress is not in session, the 21-day period begins after Congress is required to assemble. Two-thirds votes in both chambers are required for the vice president to continue as acting president. Otherwise, the president resumes the powers and duties of office.

Section 4 concerns presidential inability and the transfer of powers. It does not automatically remove a president from office or operate in the same way as impeachment.

Newsom's statement remains a political demand for action, rather than an announced constitutional proceeding. The White House maintains that Trump was describing the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran that the war was intended to prevent.