UPDATE: California Governor Gavin Newsom is expressing outrage over a dangerous incident during a Marine Corps training exercise on Saturday that jeopardized public safety. An artillery shell detonated prematurely over Interstate 5, prompting Newsom to criticize President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their roles in the event.
The incident occurred as the Marine Corps celebrated its 250th anniversary, with no injuries reported, but two vehicles, including one from Vance’s motorcade, were struck by shrapnel from the explosion. Newsom’s press office condemned the event, stating, “The shrapnel that hit CHP (California Highway Patrol) vehicles came from this ordnance. It’s no small thing.” A photo of the shrapnel was shared alongside the statement, underscoring the severity of the situation.
In a direct response, Newsom tweeted, “Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives at risk to put on a show. If you want to honor our troops, open the government and pay them.” This comes after Newsom voiced concerns last week when reports indicated that live missiles would be used during the demonstration.
Republican officials, including Vance’s communications director, dismissed Newsom’s alarm, claiming that the Marine Corps assured the exercise was a standard and safe practice. William Martin stated to The New York Times, “Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous… The Marine Corps says it’s part of routine training at Camp Pendleton.”
However, the detonation has shifted the narrative. Newsom’s office challenged Vance and Maryland Representative Darrell Issa to apologize, stating, “You accused the Governor of overreacting when he closed a portion of the freeway to protect the public. And now we learn… live ordnance detonated early.”
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that shrapnel from the detonation impacted one of its vehicles and reported that a motorcycle in Vance’s security detail was also hit. CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado remarked, “This was an unusual and concerning situation. It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”
The First Marine Expeditionary Force, responsible for the demonstration, stated that it is investigating the incident while maintaining that thorough rehearsals were conducted to ensure safety. They emphasized that firing artillery is a regular practice at Camp Pendleton, asserting, “We trust this system with our lives.”
As this story develops, all eyes are on the response from the White House and the implications for military safety protocols. With public safety at stake, the fallout from this incident will likely fuel ongoing debates about military training practices in civilian areas.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities continue to address the ramifications of this alarming event.
