The Marines conducted a live ammunition demo over I-5, briefly closing it and causing disruptions and political backlash.
CAMP PENDLETON NORTH, Calif. — A section of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton reopened Saturday afternoon after a brief closure for a U.S. military demonstration involving live ammunition discharges over the freeway, with both the exercise and the decision to close the freeway blasted by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
The freeway was closed from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road from approximately 11 a.m. Saturday until about 1:30 p.m., causing a major inconvenience to Southland motorists, who lost the main artery connecting south Orange County to San Diego County.
Early Saturday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said the freeway would remain open the rest of the day, but with traffic breaks.
Caltrans warned drivers to expect delays on I-5 and other routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event.
Passenger rail service on the adjacent rail line was also disrupted for a time during the afternoon. More details were available at pacificsurfliner.com/alerts, and metrolinktrains.com.
Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at Saturday’s 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, which was dubbed “From Sea to Shore: A Review of Amphibious Strength.”
“God bless you Marines, God bless you Camp Pendleton. It is so much fun and such an honor to be out here and to celebrate 250 years of the United States Marines,” Vance said. “I bring greetings today from our Commander in Chief, Donald J. Trump and he wanted me tell each and every single one of you that he’s proud of you, that he loves you and despite the Schumer shutdown, he’s going to do everything he can to make sure you get paid exactly as you deserve.
“For two-and-a-half centuries now, this beloved corps has served as our nation’s sharp edge. Always forward deployed, always ready, and always faithful.”
“Its clear to me why President Trump says all the time we’re the strongest, most powerful, most lethal and most prepared military on the planet,” Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth said. “Because you are that strength. You are that power. You are that lethality and you are prepared. And President Trump is going to make sure it stays that way.”
The Navy turned 250 on Monday, and the Marines will do the same on Nov. 10. Navy Secretary John Phelan and Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith were also scheduled to attend.
“The ships, the aircraft and the Marines you see are part of a living legacy stretching back 250 years,” the program narrator said shortly after the 1 p.m. start of the amphibious assault demonstration at Red Beach. “A force that remains, as ever, the first to fight. Marines go where others can’t. The reconnaissance Marines move out, disciplined, deliberate, light on their feet, heavy with purpose.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and a possible presidential candidate in 2028, criticized the planned display earlier Saturday.
“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,” Newsom said Saturday. “Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful and it’s beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion.”
Federal officials said that in advance of the training event and demonstration, a detailed risk assessment was conducted at the base and all participants were to be briefed, while medical, fire and emergency responders and equipment would be on site.
As originally announced, the demonstration was described as integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land and sea, base officials said.
“The force training activities planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our nation’s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges today and in the years ahead,” a spokesperson with Camp Pendleton said in a statement. “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols.”
Marine officials said all air, surface and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.
The exercise was also criticized by Rep. Mike Levin, D-Carlsbad.
“As the proud representative for Camp Pendleton, I have the deepest respect for our Marines, sailors, and their families. Their service, discipline, and sacrifice represent the best of America,” Levin said in a statement Saturday morning.
” … Unfortunately, reports confirming that artillery will be fired over Interstate 5 — requiring full freeway and rail closures — have caused understandable frustration throughout the surrounding community. These actions pose unnecessary safety risks and significant disruptions for residents, businesses, and first responders.
“Public safety and the reputation of the Marine Corps are far more important than the political agendas of J.D. Vance or Pete Hegseth. The Marine Corps has earned the trust of the American people over 250 years by upholding the values of honor, courage, and commitment. Those values call for professionalism, sound judgment, and respect for the public they protect.
“We can and should celebrate the Marine Corps in a manner consistent with those values — one that honors their proud legacy without compromising safety or community wellbeing. The best way to pay tribute to our Marines is to give them the modern facilities, resources, and support they need to remain the world’s finest fighting force.”
But San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican, blamed the freeway closure on Newsom.
“The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing live rounds and training beneath I-5 for over 50 years — without closing the freeway. There is zero reason for this sudden shutdown,” Desmond posted on X. “This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s going to cause medical emergencies to be delayed, workers to miss shifts and families to have their plans and events ruined.
“It sure looks like Gavin Newsom is trying to use the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary to create chaos and score political points. If that’s the case, it’s a petty stunt that will only hurt Southern California drivers and families,” he added.
Desmond also said the shutdown “shows exactly what’s wrong with politics. No accountability, no planning — just finger-pointing while everyday people sit in traffic, miss work and watch their plans fall apart.”
The Orange County Republican Party also blamed the freeway shutdown on Newsom.
“Newsom shut down the 5 today to cause chaos around a Marine Corps celebration. What a jerk,” the party posted on X.
According to Los Angeles Magazine, the White House initially “intended to shut down part of the 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego” but later dropped those plans after receiving complaints from local officials and residents.
U.S Marines officials later said “No public highways or transportation routes” would be closed.
Officials in Newsom’s office said they were notified Thursday that “the U.S. Marine Corps confirmed their exercise would be conducted on its training ranges, as it routinely does, but not over the freeway. That afternoon, the federal government also directed cancellation of train services, which run parallel to the I-5, on Saturday between Orange County-San Diego County.
“Late on Friday, the state then received notice from event organizers asking for CalTrans signage to be posted along the I-5 freeway that would read: `Overhead fire in progress.’ Also on Friday, state officials near Camp Pendleton observed live munitions being fired near the freeway, an apparent practice run.
“Due to extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions, a section of I-5 will be closed for a period on Saturday. This decision comes at the recommendation of traffic safety experts at the California Highway Patrol. [The] I-5 is Southern California’s economic backbone, supporting over 80,000 travelers and moving $94 million in freight everyday between San Diego and Orange counties. Just north of Oceanside, more than 65,000 vehicles cross county lines daily — half those trips for work.”
