Southern California is bracing for a high-profile military spectacle this weekend, as the U.S. Marine Corps prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary at Camp Pendleton with a live-fire demonstration. The event, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, has ignited a heated exchange between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration, fueled by rumors, political tensions, and the looming presence of nationwide protests.
Initial reports, circulated by MeidasTouch and amplified across social media platforms, claimed that President Donald Trump’s administration was orchestrating a “show of force” by launching missiles over Interstate 5, one of California’s busiest highways, as part of the anniversary celebrations. The same day, activists across the country are planning large-scale “No Kings” protests, aimed at challenging what they perceive as Trump’s increasingly autocratic tendencies. According to MeidasTouch, the White House’s event—titled “Sea to Shore—A Review of Amphibious Strength”—would not only feature live ordnance but might require the shutdown of a significant stretch of I-5, potentially impacting more than 80,000 daily commuters and suspending nearly $100 million in freight traffic per day. The prospect of eight-hour delays and massive gridlock from Dana Point to Del Mar sent shockwaves through the region, raising fears of chaos and economic disruption.
Governor Newsom responded swiftly, expressing outrage over what he described as a “vanity parade” and a reckless disregard for California’s infrastructure and communities. In a post on X, Newsom wrote, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military.” He added in comments to MeidasTouch, “Our office is working to minimize what would be a massive disruption, and reckless disregard for California’s infrastructure and communities.” Newsom’s spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times, “California always honors our Marines—but this isn’t the right way to go about it. The 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—and the overall impact to our society and economy—is evident of the larger disarray that is the Trump Administration.”
The confusion was compounded by a lack of clear information from federal authorities. Newsom’s office reported that, just days before the event, they had “received little information about the event or safety plans.” This communication breakdown, as The New York Times noted, was only the latest in a series of clashes between Newsom and the Trump administration over California’s autonomy and federal oversight.
With the clock ticking, Newsom began coordinating with state transportation officials and the California Highway Patrol, preparing for the possibility of closing portions of Interstate 5 as a precautionary measure. Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for the governor, stated, “We are preparing for this potential scenario while we await clearer instruction from anyone in the federal government.” The uncertainty left commuters, local business owners, and elected officials alike on edge, wondering whether the state’s primary north-south artery would grind to a halt.
However, as speculation and anxiety mounted, the U.S. Marine Corps stepped in late Wednesday evening to clarify its plans. In an official statement, the Marines assured the public that the “live-fire Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration” would take place at Red Beach, a section of Camp Pendleton located west of Interstate 5, and that “all training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols.” Crucially, the statement emphasized, “no public highways or transportation routes will be closed.” The Marines added, “All air, surface and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.”
The Marines’ announcement brought a measure of relief to state officials. On Thursday, Newsom acknowledged the update, telling reporters in Los Angeles, “Anything we can do to celebrate our vets, to celebrate our heroes, I’m all for. Let’s just do it in coordination and collaboration with state and local leaders.” Still, he remained cautious, adding, “We’ll see what actually takes place.” Newsom’s office later posted on X, “We’re relieved the White House backed off its plans to shut down a major interstate. Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government!”
The event itself is set to be a major affair, with Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expected to attend. The White House has announced that the demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land, and sea. After the live-fire exercise, a community Beach Bash is planned at Del Mar Beach, less than 10 miles south of Red Beach, to mark both the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and America’s Semiquincentennial. The entire event will be recorded by the White House Production Office for a national broadcast on November 9, 2025.
Despite the Marines’ assurances, the episode has left a mark on California’s political landscape. The rapid spread of rumors—originating from anonymous sources cited by MeidasTouch and echoed by prominent media outlets like The Independent, Yahoo, Newsweek, and The Daily Beast—highlighted the volatility of information in the social media age. The narrative of Trump’s “show of force” and the specter of highway shutdowns took on a life of its own, amplified by partisan divides and the charged atmosphere surrounding the “No Kings” protests.
As Snopes reported, many readers reached out seeking to verify the claims. The fact-checking outlet pointed out that the language used in the most sensational assertions stemmed from MeidasTouch’s reporting and subsequent amplification by Newsom. Without confirmation from primary sources, Snopes refrained from rating the veracity of the claims but noted the episode as emblematic of the current climate of mistrust and miscommunication between state and federal governments.
All the while, the broader context loomed large: the event is taking place during a government shutdown, which means thousands of Marines and federal employees are working without pay. Newsom and his allies have used this fact to criticize the administration’s priorities, arguing that resources should be directed toward supporting service members rather than staging elaborate public displays.
With the Marines’ statement now on the record and the I-5 expected to remain open, attention turns back to the original purpose of the event: honoring the Marine Corps’ storied legacy. As the nation prepares to watch the demonstration—both in person and, later, on national television—the hope is that the focus will shift from political drama to genuine appreciation for those who serve.
