A plan to fire live artillery shells over a major Southern California highway as part of a military showcase attended by Vice President JD Vance has sparked strong objections from Governor Gavin Newsom, who cited safety concerns in his decision to close a 17-mile segment of Interstate 5.
Governor Newsom criticized the event in a statement, stating, The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong—it’s dangerous. The plan raised alarms due to the highway's heavy usage, acting as the primary route connecting San Diego with Los Angeles.
Despite claims from Vice President Vance and U.S. Marine officials at Camp Pendleton asserting the exercise is safe, California officials made the decision to close the freeway on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time.
The event, intended to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary, includes demonstrations of amphibious vehicles and aircraft, with a beach landing being a highlight. While military officials maintain that all activities will occur within approved safety ranges, concerns remain due to the proximity of live fire operations to daily commuters.
State transportation officials were prompted to consider the closure after reports of practice firings over the freeway and a request from event organizers for signage to warn drivers of overhead artillery fire.
As a result of the closure, California Department of Transportation spokesperson Matt Rocco noted that the delay could add up to two hours of travel time for commuters, emphasizing the safety concerns driving the decision: “This is all because of the White House-directed military event.” The Interstate carries about 80,000 travelers and $94 million in freight daily, highlighting the significant impact of such military exercises on public safety and commerce.
The Associated Press has reached out to military officials and Vance's office for comments as the planned artillery fire raises questions about balancing national defense training with civilian safety.
