SACRAMENTO \u00a0\u2014\u00a0Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s office is weighing whether to close parts of Interstate 5 beginning Friday amid concerns over what it says is a White House-directed plan to use live ordnance during a military anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton\u2019s coast in San Diego County \u2014 where Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base.<\/p>\n
Newsom\u2019s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels during the event commemorating the Marine Corps\u2019 250th anniversary. The event is titled \u201cSea to Shore \u2014 A Review of Amphibious Strength\u201d and will feature Vice President JD Vance.<\/p>\n
Newsom\u2019s office said it has received little information about the event or safety plans. The military show of force coincides with No Kings rallies and marches across the state on Saturday that are expected to draw large crowds, demonstrations challenging Trump and what critics say is government overreach.<\/p>\n
\u201cDonald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,\u201d Newsom posted<\/a> on the social media site X Wednesday.<\/p>\n A military media advisory said the celebration will include a live amphibious assault demonstration. The Times could not confirm whether live ordnance will be fired over the freeway. The White House and Marine Corps did not respond to questions from The Times.<\/p>\n \u201cCalifornia always honors our Marines \u2014 but this isn\u2019t the right way to go about it,\u201d said a Newsom spokesperson. \u201cThe White House should focus on paying their military, lowering grocery prices and honoring these soldiers for their service instead of pompous displays of power. The lack of coordination and communication from the federal government on this event \u2014 and the overall impact to our society and economy \u2014 is evident of the larger disarray that is the Trump Administration.\u201d<\/p>\n Freeway closures are being considered for a section of I-5 between Orange County to San Diego County from Friday to Saturday, which would cut off a major traffic artery that moves upward of 80,000 travelers a day. A closure with little notice would likely result in massive gridlock from Dana Point in the north to well past Del Mar in the south.<\/p>\n California Department of Transportation spokesman Edward Barrera said that, based on \u201cpotential scenarios shared with us by the federal government,\u201d the agency is preparing to shut down a section of Interstate 5 for the safety of California motorists.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the federal government requests a closure of the freeway, drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event,\u201d Barrera said in a statement. <\/p>\n Vance, the first Marine veteran to serve as vice president, is expected to attend the event Saturday along with 15,000 Marines, sailors, veterans and their families, according to an event media release. Along with Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to deliver remarks. <\/p>\n Camp Pendleton advised nearby residents that there would be live-fire training with high-explosive munitions through Sunday, which will result in some roads on the base being closed.<\/p>\n The Trump administration previously had plans for a major celebration next month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which would have included an air and sea show \u2014 with the Blue Angels and parading warships \u2014 attended by President Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune<\/a>. Plans to host that show in San Diego have been called off, the paper reported.<\/p>\n Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been critical in preparing soldiers for amphibious missions since World War II thanks to its miles of beach and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the base available for development or lease<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SACRAMENTO \u00a0\u2014\u00a0Gov. 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