SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace is weighing whether or not to shut components of Interstate 5 starting Friday amid considerations over what it says is a White House-directed plan to make use of dwell ordnance throughout a navy anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton’s coast in San Diego County — the place Navy ships are anticipated to fireplace over the freeway onto the bottom.
Newsom’s workplace has obtained, however not confirmed, experiences that dwell ordnance will likely be fired from offshore vessels through the occasion commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The occasion is titled “Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength” and can characteristic Vice President JD Vance.
Newsom’s workplace stated it has obtained little details about the occasion or security plans. The navy present of drive coincides with No Kings rallies and marches throughout the state on Saturday which might be anticipated to attract massive crowds, demonstrations difficult Trump and what critics say is authorities overreach.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance assume that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is the way you respect the navy,” Newsom posted on the social media web site X Wednesday.
A navy media advisory stated the celebration will embody a dwell amphibious assault demonstration. The Times couldn’t verify whether or not dwell ordnance will likely be fired over the freeway. The White House and Marine Corps didn’t reply to questions from The Times.
“California all the time honors our Marines — however this isn’t the appropriate strategy to go about it,” stated a Newsom spokesperson. “The White House ought to concentrate on paying their navy, reducing grocery costs and honoring these troopers for his or her service as an alternative of pompous shows of energy. The lack of coordination and communication from the federal authorities on this occasion — and the general influence to our society and financial system — is obvious of the bigger disarray that’s the Trump Administration.”
Freeway closures are being thought-about for a bit of I-5 between Orange County to San Diego County from Friday to Saturday, which might minimize off a serious site visitors artery that strikes upward of 80,000 vacationers a day. A closure with little discover would possible end in large gridlock from Dana Point within the north to effectively previous Del Mar within the south.
California Department of Transportation spokesman Edward Barrera stated that, based mostly on “potential eventualities shared with us by the federal authorities,” the company is making ready to close down a bit of Interstate 5 for the protection of California motorists.
“If the federal authorities requests a closure of the freeway, drivers ought to count on delays on Interstate 5 and different state routes all through Southern California earlier than, throughout and after the occasion,” Barrera stated in an announcement.
Vance, the primary Marine veteran to function vice chairman, is anticipated to attend the occasion Saturday together with 15,000 Marines, sailors, veterans and their households, in keeping with an occasion media launch. Along with Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is anticipated to ship remarks.
Camp Pendleton suggested close by residents that there can be live-fire coaching with high-explosive munitions via Sunday, which can end in some roads on the bottom being closed.
The Trump administration beforehand had plans for a serious celebration subsequent month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which might have included an air and sea present — with the Blue Angels and parading warships — attended by President Trump, in keeping with the San Diego Union-Tribune. Plans to host that present in San Diego have been referred to as off, the paper reported.
Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been crucial in making ready troopers for amphibious missions since World War II because of its miles of seaside and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is contemplating making a portion of the bottom accessible for growth or lease.
