The controversy in the United States is continuing after President Donald Trump's statements during a rally in Nebraska, where he cited the possibility that Iran would destroy “” Los Angeles or San Diego.
Reuters reports that Trump, speaking of fighting Iran and its costs, said these costs were a small “prime” for US and world security. During the same passage, he mentioned Los Angeles and San Diego as cities that could be hit by Iran. The statements caused strong reactions in California.
The new development is the reaction of Gavin Newsom, who has already called for the activism of the 25th Amendment of the American Constitution to remove Trump from office. Newsom named the president inappropriate to continue the task.
Newsom and other California officials condemned Trump's statements, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the president's role is to protect the country rather than make statements that could endanger the safety of American cities.
Criticism has not come only from Democrats. The Guardian writes that Jim Desmond, the Republican candidate for Congress in San Diego and the veteran of the Navy, claimed that no American city should be treated as an acceptable price of war.
However, the interpretation of Trump's statement has become a subject of debate.
Some journalists and commentators who are usually critical of Trump have rejected the interpretation that the president was really looking for Iran to attack American cities. According to this interpretation, Trump was arguing that Los Angeles and San Diego could be endangered by a Iran with nuclear weapons if the U.S. hadn't intervened.
Even the White House has defended the president, saying the statement has been misinterpreted and Trump was describing the danger that, according to the administration, would exist from an armed Iran with nuclear weapons.
The 25th amendment defines procedures for cases when a president is unable to exercise the powers of office. Activating the evacuation mechanism is not a decision Newsom can make. The process requires action by the vice president and most of the key members of the administration, while in case the president's opposition is included in Congress.
Newsom's request has restored the term “25th Admenment” to the heart of the American political debate, while the clash to understand Trump statements continues.
