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// DOSSIER — gavin-newsom-calls-removal-donald-trump-25th-amendment
Gavin Newsom Calls for 25th Amendment Removal of Donald Trump Over California Remarks
REL_TIME: 08 Oct 2026 04:13Z · LANG: EN
California Governor Gavin Newsom called for invoking the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump following comments Trump made at an October 5, 2026, rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, suggesting Iran could 'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego. Newsom termed the remarks 'mentally ill,' 'dangerous,' and potentially treasonous, directing the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor potential foreign threats. The White House defended Trump's statements, maintaining he was highlighting the theoretical dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran to justify U.S. military operations rather than endorsing an attack. While Newsom, Senator Alex Padilla, and local California mayors condemned the rhetoric, invoking Section 4 of the 25th Amendment legally requires action initiated by Vice President JD Vance and a majority of the Cabinet, neither of whom have taken steps to remove the president.
// Background
The confrontation follows ongoing friction between Governor Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump during Trump's second term, which previously involved conflicts over military deployments to Los Angeles and earlier calls by Newsom in July 2026 to invoke the 25th Amendment over an election integrity speech. Under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, an external official such as a governor has no legal standing to begin presidential removal; power rests exclusively with the vice president and a majority of Cabinet officials, followed by potential two-thirds votes in both chambers of Congress.
// Key Developments
- President Donald Trump remarked at a Nebraska rally that higher fuel costs from the Iran conflict were a 'small price to pay,' adding: 'Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.'
- California Governor Gavin Newsom called for the 25th Amendment, declaring 'TIME FOR THE 25TH!' and labeling Trump 'mentally ill' and 'deranged and dangerous.'
- The White House pushed back against the controversy, stating Trump was outlining the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran that military action aimed to avoid.
- Section 4 of the 25th Amendment requires Vice President JD Vance and a majority of the Cabinet to initiate proceedings, which has not occurred.
- California's State Threat Assessment Center was instructed to monitor whether foreign actors treat Trump's remarks as an invitation to strike California.
// Timeline
-
President Donald Trump makes controversial comments about Iran taking out Los Angeles and San Diego during a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska.
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Governor Gavin Newsom posts on X calling Donald Trump 'deranged and dangerous.'
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Newsom demands the invocation of the 25th Amendment, calls Trump 'mentally ill,' and orders the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor potential foreign threats.
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White House communications director Steven Cheung and White House spokespeople issue statements defending Trump and attacking Newsom.
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Mayors Karen Bass and Todd Gloria, Senator Alex Padilla, and congressional candidate Jim Desmond issue statements rebuking Trump's rhetoric.
// Perspectives
[California State and City Officials]
Strongly condemn the rhetoric as dangerous and reckless, arguing it paints a target on major population centers and naval hubs, warranting state intelligence monitoring and Trump's constitutional removal.
[The White House]
Maintains the remarks were mischaracterized by critics and the media, asserting Trump was simply explaining the nuclear threat from Iran that his administration's military campaign seeks to prevent.
[California Republican Candidates (Jim Desmond)]
Broke ranks with the president to state that no American city or family should ever be viewed as expendable collateral damage.
// Quotes
“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.”
“Donald Trump is mentally ill. TIME FOR THE 25TH!”
“Donald Trump’s remarks were dangerous — if not treasonous — putting a target on two of our biggest cities and one of America’s largest naval hubs.”
“He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped. America is safer because of the President.”
“No American city is expendable, and no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage.”
