Newsom calls for 25th Amendment after Trump’s remarks about California cities

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked against Donald Trump after the president’s remarks about Iran potentially striking Los Angeles and San Diego. The comments drew criticism from Democratic officials and a Republican congressional candidate, while the White House said Trump was describing a threat his military policy was intended to prevent.

Speaking in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday, 5 October, Trump defended the economic costs of the Iran war before discussing possible attacks on American cities.

“Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego,” he said, alongside remarks describing the costs of the conflict as a small price for national security. Critics interpreted the passage as treating Californian lives as expendable.

Newsom demands action
Newsom escalated his response on Tuesday, calling for use of the constitutional mechanism addressing presidential inability. He also directed California’s State Threat Assessment Center to monitor whether foreign actors might interpret the remarks as encouragement to target the state.

Senator Alex Padilla supported invoking the amendment. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that Trump’s language could undermine public safety, while San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria rejected the suggestion that his city could be considered acceptable collateral damage.

Republican congressional candidate Jim Desmond also criticised the remarks, saying the president’s first responsibility was to protect Americans.

White House disputes interpretation
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump had been referring to the danger American cities could have faced from a nuclear-armed Iran. He rejected accusations that the president was encouraging attacks.

The administration’s explanation framed the economic burden of the war as the sacrifice Trump meant. That distinction remains central to the dispute: the remarks prompted accusations of recklessness, but do not establish an announced policy to sacrifice either city.

What the amendment would require
Newsom has no authority to activate Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. Under the existing mechanism, Vice President JD Vance and a majority of Cabinet secretaries would need to declare Trump unable to perform his duties. Vance would then become acting president.

If Trump contested that declaration and the initiating officials maintained it, sustaining the transfer would require two-thirds majorities in both congressional chambers. The process concerns presidential inability and transfers executive authority; it does not automatically remove the president from office.

Newshub Editorial in North America – 7 October 2026