SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Marines plan to fire 155-millimeter artillery shells over a major freeway in Southern California this Saturday as part of a demonstration at Camp Pendleton, commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The announcement has triggered a sharp response from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who described the move as a “profoundly absurd show of force” that could endanger civilians.
Governor Newsom’s office stated late Friday that state officials had been informed days earlier that the celebration would not involve firing munitions across Interstate 5, one of the most heavily traveled corridors connecting Los Angeles and San Diego. Despite that, Newsom said early Saturday that a 17-mile stretch of the freeway would be closed from noon to 3 p.m. Pacific Time due to the potential hazards posed by the military exercise.
“This is a profoundly absurd show of force that could put Californians directly in harm’s way,” Newsom told reporters. The governor criticized the Trump administration and highlighted the lack of coordination among federal, state, and local authorities.
The demonstration is scheduled to be attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and top military officials. The event coincides with nationwide “No Kings” protests planned by anti-Trump activists, including rallies in Southern California.
“Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office the president holds,” Newsom said.
In response, a spokesman for Vice President Vance stated that the Marine Corps had assessed the exercise as safe. “Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous. The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice,” said William Martin, Vance’s communications director. “If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead.”
Newsom emphasized that he supports celebrating military heroes but wanted better communication about the plans. According to state officials, federal authorities had provided few details about the activities, aside from a request to post electronic alerts for motorists regarding live fire. After pressing for more information Friday night, federal officials confirmed that live fire was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The freeway closure has added to the ongoing tensions between Governor Newsom and the Trump administration. In June, Trump mobilized roughly 4,000 California National Guard troops to respond to immigration enforcement protests, despite the governor’s objections.
Federal officials had recommended keeping the freeway open during the demonstration. However, California highway authorities determined that the combination of live artillery fire and loud explosions could create an extreme safety risk and distract drivers. The closure affects I-5 between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road, a stretch traveled by approximately 80,000 vehicles daily. Delays are expected to ripple throughout the region.
The Marine Corps describes the event as an “amphibious capabilities demonstration,” which may involve Marines coming ashore from the ocean at Red Beach, a restricted training area just south of the now-decommissioned San Onofre nuclear power plant. Red Beach, historically visited by former President Richard Nixon due to its seclusion and security, is closed to the public during these exercises.
Preparation for Saturday’s celebration included a test firing of artillery rounds from M777 howitzers on Friday evening. Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis, a spokesperson for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, noted that traffic was not closed during the rehearsal. “M777 artillery pieces have historically been fired during routine training from land-based artillery firing points west of I-5 into impact areas east of the interstate within existing safety protocols and without the need to close the route,” he said.
The M777 howitzers, measuring roughly six inches in diameter and two feet long, can fire shells weighing about 90 pounds over distances exceeding 15 miles. Officials did not specify whether the Friday test rounds were live high-explosive shells or inert practice munitions.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also issued temporary flight restrictions near Camp Pendleton during the vice president’s visit. Amtrak, which operates the Pacific Surfliner near the freeway, canceled train service between noon and 3 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday.
The situation caused confusion earlier this week. Initially, Newsom expressed concern that live munitions would be fired over the freeway. On Wednesday, the governor’s office said state officials were preparing to close I-5 but awaited federal confirmation. The Marine Corps, however, stated late Wednesday that all activities would occur within approved training ranges and adhere to established safety protocols.
On Thursday, Newsom told reporters, “We were under the understanding they were going to close I-5,” adding that military officials later “seemed to back off on that.” The governor’s frustration stemmed from insufficient details provided by federal authorities to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
The Marines’ 250th anniversary demonstrations mirror celebrations by other branches. Earlier this year, the Army held a parade in Washington, D.C., while the Navy hosted an event aboard an aircraft carrier off Virginia’s coast, which President Trump turned into a political rally.
As Saturday approaches, Californians and commuters along I-5 are preparing for significant delays, while the debate between state officials and the federal government over public safety and military display continues.