San Diego Mayor, Todd Gloria told President Donald Trump to keep the city out of his “reckless war talk” after the president suggested Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego.

Trump spoke on Monday night at a Republican rally in Grand Island, Nebraska. Defending the cost of the war with Iran, he said higher prices were “a small price to pay for keeping the world safe — keeping our country safe.” He then said: “They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” Parts of the crowd applauded. He said the war would be over very soon.

California Governor, Gavin Newsom called the remarks deranged and dangerous, and linked them to the earlier deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in the state.

Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass said the president of the United States had suggested that a foreign government attack Los Angeles. “His statements against our city are dangerous and could potentially compromise our safety,” she said. She added that a president’s role was to protect the country, not encourage attacks on American lives.

Gloria wrote on X that San Diego was not collateral damage and not expendable. “We are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”

San Diego is the country’s eighth-largest city and hosts major Navy and Marine bases. The White House had not issued a clarification of the Nebraska remarks when the mayors responded. The US and Israel began strikes on Iran in February, which Trump has said were meant to stop Tehran acquiring a nuclear weapon.