California Democrats demand Trump apology for rally remarks

Reported by The Hill. The paragraphs below are the opening of that article, reproduced word for word — not a summary, and not the whole piece.

California Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday demanded President Trump apologize for remarks he made at a campaign rally suggesting Iran could “take out” the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

“As members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, we call on President Trump to apologize to the over 16 million Americans who live in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas and all Americans who expect more out of our President,” the delegation, chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), said in a joint statement .

Lofgren was joined by the state’s 40 House members and Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in responding to Trump’s comment earlier this week in Grand Island, Neb.

“Upon taking office, the president swears to uphold the Constitution and to protect us from our enemies,” the delegation wrote. “Yesterday, President Trump, while defending his unconstitutional war against Iran, appeared, incredibly to invite Iran to destroy two American cities.”

The Golden State lawmakers also reiterated what the president said verbatim: “Let ‘em take out Los Angeles, let ‘em take out San Diego.” He added that it was “a very small price to pay, and [the conflict is] going to be over with very soon,” defending the economic fallout from the Iran war.

Trump’s words also inflamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who called the rhetoric “deranged and dangerous,” later adding that the comments were “dangerous –– if not treasonous,” for appearing to suggest the cities could be attacked.