Military to Conduct Artillery Exercise Over California Highway

A military exercise involving live artillery fire over a major highway in Southern California has sparked significant controversy. Vice President JD Vance is set to attend the event at Camp Pendleton on March 16, 2024, which has led California Governor Gavin Newsom to close a portion of Interstate 5 for safety reasons.

Newsom expressed strong objections to the artillery demonstration, stating that it prioritizes military spectacle over public safety. In a statement, he said, “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.”

Despite the governor’s concerns, Vance and officials from the U.S. Marine Corps have maintained that the exercise poses no safety risks. They argue that the event will take place within designated training ranges and adhere to established safety protocols. Vance, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is attending the event to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, which includes demonstrations of amphibious vehicles and aircraft.

The California Department of Transportation had initially considered the freeway closure earlier in the week. However, after practice firings occurred over the freeway on Friday evening, officials decided to proceed with the closure. Traffic on the affected stretch of the highway will be halted on Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00 local time. Travelers should anticipate delays before, during, and after the exercise, which could add up to two hours to travel times between San Diego and Los Angeles.

According to the governor’s office, approximately 80,000 vehicles and $94 million in freight move through this corridor daily. Passenger rail services that run parallel to Interstate 5 will also be suspended for the afternoon.

California Department of Transportation spokesperson Matt Rocco highlighted the reasoning behind the decision, 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 ordinances over the freeway.”

In response to Newsom’s remarks, William Martin, a spokesperson for Vance, criticized the governor for what he called misleading statements about the safety of the event. He emphasized that the military exercise is routine, stating, “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.”

As the military prepares for this high-profile demonstration, the clash between state and federal authorities continues to raise questions about public safety and military operations in urban areas. The Associated Press has reached out to both Vance’s office and the U.S. Marines for further comments regarding the situation.