California’s top lawmakers and city mayors quickly lined up tin fury, portraying Trump’s comments as an extraordinary threat against millions of Americans.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called the president “dangerous and deranged” after his remarks at a political rally, where Mr. Trump said the Iran war was necessary to “keep the world safe.”

Trump made the remarks during a rambling speech in which he said gas prices would be lower soon, touted his ouster of Venezuela’s dictator, and made attacks on news outlets.