California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that he has ordered the State Threat Assessment Center to increase monitoring for security threats against the state. The directive comes in response to recent remarks made by former President Donald Trump, who suggested that Iran should target Los Angeles and San Diego.

Governor Newsom characterized the former president’s comments as dangerous, going so far as to label them potentially treasonous. By involving the State Threat Assessment Center, Newsom aims to ensure that law enforcement and state security agencies are prepared for any potential fallout or credible threats resulting from the rhetoric. The center, which typically coordinates intelligence sharing between local, state, and federal agencies, will now be tasked with assessing whether the former president’s statements have translated into actionable risks for the residents of these major metropolitan areas.

While the governor’s office has framed this as a necessary precautionary measure to protect public safety, the move highlights the ongoing political friction between the Democratic state administration and the former Republican president. The situation underscores the sensitivity of national security rhetoric when applied to domestic targets, as state officials attempt to balance public safety concerns with the broader political implications of the former president's statements.