Governor Moves to Halt Military Demonstration Near Camp Pendleton
Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of a section of Interstate 5 after learning that the U.S. Marine Corps planned a live-fire exhibition near Camp Pendleton to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The event, which included heavy artillery and amphibious exercises, was intended as a public showcase of military capabilities. Newsom said holding such an exercise so close to a major freeway posed unnecessary risks, calling it a “reckless and unsafe decision” that left the state with no choice but to intervene.
Newsom Says Federal Officials Failed to Communicate
State officials criticized the lack of coordination between the Pentagon and California authorities, arguing that the demonstration was approved without sufficient consultation. Newsom said the state was caught off guard by the timing and scale of the exercises, emphasizing that safety should take precedence over ceremony. “We honor our Marines every day,” the governor said, “but this kind of activity should never occur within earshot of civilian traffic.”
Military Officials Defend Event’s Safety Protocols
The U.S. Marine Corps and Department of Defense responded that all operations were safely contained within secured areas and complied with federal guidelines. Military leaders maintained that no part of the freeway was at risk and that emergency protocols were in place throughout the exercise. While the temporary I-5 closure caused short-lived congestion between San Diego and Orange County, the highway reopened once drills ended without any reported incidents.
