Gavin Newsom has vocally criticized Donald Trump’s proposal to launch artillery shells over a California highway, intended as part of a military display to commemorate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.
The Governor of California labeled the idea as “profoundly absurd,” expressing concern that such a display of military might could pose a direct threat to the safety of Californians.
In response, Newsom ordered the closure of a 17-mile section of Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and San Diego, leading to significant traffic congestion on the highway over the weekend.
While the Trump administration maintained the artillery demonstration was in honor of the Marine Corps’ milestone, Newsom pointed out the coincidence that it aligned with anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests taking place on the same day.
“Using our military to intimidate those who disagree with you doesn’t demonstrate strength—it’s reckless, disrespectful, and beneath the dignity of the presidency,” Newsom remarked to the New York Times.
Newsom, who is considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028, also expressed his disapproval on social media platform X, alleging that Trump had failed to properly coordinate the artillery event with California authorities to ensure public safety.
‘It is not safe for people to drive on a major freeway at high speeds directly under LIVE MUNITIONS,’ his office wrote.
‘White House not communicating, endangering the public, and then trying to blame the Governor for doing the right thing — keeping people out of harm’s way — yet another day living in Trump’s authoritarian America.’
California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed Donald Trump ‘s plans to fire artillery shells over a California highway as part of a military demonstration on Saturday
The artillery fire was part of a round of demonstrations the US military held on Saturday in California to celebrate the Marines’ 250th anniversary
Marines seen performing an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Saturday near Camp Pendleton, California
Despite Newsom’s hand-wringing over Trump’s military spectacle, the White House insisted on Saturday that the artillery fire from Camp Pendleton was safe.
‘Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous,’ William Martin, the communications director for Vice President JD Vance, said in a statement.
‘The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice. Newsom wants people to think this is an absurd show of force. The Marine Corps says it’s part of routine training at Camp Pendleton.
‘If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead.’
The visually-stunning demonstrations included controlled demolitions, large amphibious assault vehicles, named Navy Landing Craft Air Cushions, and troops practicing sea-to-land attacks.
Marines seen taking part in an amphibious assault demonstration on Saturday at Camp Pendleton, California
A controlled demolition using live munitions seen on the California coast
The highway closures on Saturday sparked fury in California, as they caused around an hour of delays and led to huge lines of drivers sat in traffic.
San Clemente City Councilmember Mark Enmeier said he was left enraged because it ‘came completely out of the blue’, and fumed that he ‘was not informed of it.’
‘There was no coordination with any local officials on this whatsoever,’ he said.
Joey Abi-Loutfi, a local restaurant owner whose eatery sits on the highway exit, sarcastically told the LA Times: ‘What a great use of funding.’
The FAA also closed some airspace over the region throughout Saturday afternoon, and Amtrak shut its Pacific Surfliner train near the stretch of interstate that was halted.
A team of U.S. Navy SEALS emerge onto the beach during the America’s Marines 250 event at Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach
Large amphibious assault vehicles, named Navy Landing Craft Air Cushions (pictured), also took part in the visually stunning demonstrations
Despite Newsom claiming the drills put traffic in danger, military officials insisted it was safe
Although the Trump administration said the artillery fire was to mark the Marine Corps’ anniversary, Newsom said it was no accident that it also fell on the same day anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests were held
Newsom’s decision to shut down the highway on Saturday led to gridlock
Gregory Dreibelbis, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton said practice fire of M777 Howitzers was tested at a nearby beach on Friday evening to make sure it was safe.
‘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,’ Dreibelbis said.
He described the move as an ‘established and safe practice.’
Oceanside’s assistant police chief John McKean added to the LA Times that although authorities did not expect the artillery fire to hit traffic, the dramatic move could still distract motorists.
‘It’s not like they’re going to get hit by explosives or anything like that, it’s just loud booms, and it may frighten [drivers when the rounds are] going to go off, because it’s going to be going off for about a good 15 or 20 minutes,’ McKean said.
The artillery fire event was attended in California by Vice President JD Vance, who told Marines in a speech to around 15,000 servicemen that the US would ‘always need’ their ‘warrior spirit’
The artillery fire event was attended in California by Vance, who told Marines in a speech to around 15,000 servicemen that the US would ‘always need’ their ‘warrior spirit.’
Vance also remarked on the ongoing government shutdown, telling recruits that ‘despite the Schumer Shutdown, (Trump) is going to do everything he can to make sure you get paid exactly as you deserve.’
