California Governor Gavin Newsom has called the upcoming military event a “disaster.” It will include up to 7,000 pounds of live artillery fire overhead, including along Interstate 5, one of Southern California’s major freeways. The demonstration is planned to take place in conjunction with celebrations for the U.S. Marines’ 250th anniversary. It will close the region’s most congested highway — the I-5 — running right through Camp Pendleton — for four hours stopping the 80,000 daily commuters and $94 million in daily freight.
Initially, Newsom had justifiable and profound concerns about the risks our fellow Californians were being unnecessarily exposed to. He called the plan an “absurd show of force” and called it “totally uncalled for.” The governor went on to criticize the communication breakdown between state, federal, and local agencies in preparation for this military exercise.
“The dangers of flying live rounds over a busy highway without coordination between state, federal, and local partners isn’t just wrong – it’s dangerous,” Newsom stated. His comments frame the governor’s responsibility to ensure public safety. This is particularly important considering relations are already strained between the state and the Trump administration, with Newsom decrying other moves The White House has made to shortchange the state.
In reaction to the live-fire demonstration, Newsom wasted no time jumping on social media. He urged everyone to participate in the No Kings marches taking place in parallel with the event. He encouraged peaceful protests against what he termed “the tyranny and lawlessness currently running this country.”
“I urge our nation to use this weekend’s No Kings marches as a declaration of independence against the tyranny and lawlessness currently running this country. Use your voice. ACT PEACEFULLY. Protect yourself and your community. THERE ARE NO KINGS IN THE UNITED STATES.” – Gavin Newsom
The governor’s remarks are the latest shot across the bow in his near-constant assault on moves made by the Trump administration. He has consistently called out decisions made during Trump’s presidency, particularly those perceived as politically motivated or harmful to state interests.
As preparations for the military demonstration continue, Newsom remains adamant that using military force to intimidate political opponents is not a show of strength. He continued, “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that using our military to intimidate or silence critics or opponents is the sign of a dictator. It’s dangerous, it’s insulting, and it’s yet another move showing a complete disregard of the office of the presidency.”
The decision to hold these live-fire exercises above a busy interstate has sparked condemnation from the other elected officials. Matt Rocco, a nearby resident, pointed out the implications of such a military event on public safety, stating, “This is all because of the White House-directed military event, that for the safety of the public, we need to shut down the freeway since they’re sending live ordnances over the freeway.”
The Marines were adamant that they not cancel their planned capabilities demonstration. They underscored its value in demonstrating holistic, measured, purpose-built operations of integrated air, land, sea use to protect military readiness.
“The capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land and sea.” – The Marines