Republicans condemn Trump’s comments on Iranian attack on California

The White House seeks to clarify US President Donald Trump's comments

made at a rally in Nebraska where the President, addressing high oil prices,

seemed to suggest he wants Iran to bring attacks on American soil.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung says on social media

the comments have been misunderstood and misrepresented in

and that the president meant attacks would happen if

"a nuclear Iran hadn't been stopped."

“I want to see a tremendous victory. You want to see a

tremendous victory because it verifies all the things we did.

And again, remember, with the war, it's just artificial. It's a

little bit high. It's a small price to pay for keeping the world

safe, keeping our country safe. They can take out a city.

Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.

That's, this is a very small price to pay and it's going to be

over with very soon,” Trump says.

The mention of the two California cities hit a nerve with many, including

Democratic candidate for California governor Xavier Becerra

who says current state leadership failed to stand up

and condemn what Trump said.

Writing on X, California Governor Gavin Newsom

"After sending the National Guard and Marines to

occupy California, Donald trump is now saying our foreign enemies should

'take out' Los Angeles and San Diego."

California's early voting for the November midterm

elections started Monday.

The president's Republican party had

hoped to win more races in the state in recent years,

including this year's gubernatorial election.