On Saturday, October 18, 2025, what was supposed to be a proud celebration of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County quickly turned into a political and public safety controversy. The event, attended by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, featured a live-fire military demonstration that, according to multiple reports including The New York Times, resulted in shrapnel raining down on Interstate 5 and damaging several vehicles—including one from the vice president’s own motorcade and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) car.
Governor Gavin Newsom had warned the Trump administration about the risks of using live munitions during the event, especially with a major freeway running so close to the base. Despite these warnings, the demonstration went ahead, and the detonation of explosive ordnance above Interstate 5 caused shrapnel pieces as large as two inches long to strike vehicles below. Officers described hearing sounds like pebbles hitting their cars before discovering the damage. Notably, no injuries were reported, but the incident sparked immediate outrage and debate over responsibility and public safety.
According to a CHP statement released the following day, a patrol vehicle assisting with a traffic break was damaged by metal shrapnel from an explosive artillery shell that detonated prematurely overhead. Tony Coronado, CHP Border Division Chief, called the situation “unusual and concerning,” emphasizing, “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.” The CHP recommended an after-action review to enhance coordination between military and civilian authorities in the future.
Governor Newsom did not mince words in his public response. On social media, he posted a photograph of the heavy artillery used in the demonstration, writing, “The shrapnel that hit CHP vehicles over the weekend from Trump and Vance’s military live-munitions demonstration came from this ordnance. It’s no small thing. This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway.” In a later post, Newsom went further, stating, “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.”
The incident did not occur without some foresight—or at least, attempts at prevention. Prior to the demonstration, Newsom had temporarily closed a section of Interstate 5, citing safety concerns and following recommendations from CHP traffic safety experts. CalTrans posted a notice about the unscheduled closure, stating, “Due to safety concerns, a section of Interstate 5 will be closed today, Saturday, October 18, due to a White House-directed military event at Camp Pendleton involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway.” Passenger rail service on the adjacent line was also disrupted.
Despite these precautions, the live-fire event went ahead, and the premature detonation of ordnance over the freeway brought Newsom’s warnings into sharp relief. The I Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF), which conducted the demonstration alongside the Navy’s Third Fleet, responded that it was “aware” of the incident and that the exercise had “gone through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens.” After the incident, firing was suspended and an investigation into the root cause was launched, according to IMEF statements reported by The Hill and Snopes.
The White House, for its part, maintained that there were no public safety concerns with the exercises. Its rapid response team stated on social media, “The Marines repeatedly said there are no public safety concerns with today’s exercises.” Yet, Newsom’s press office accused the White House of misleading Californians about the live munitions being used and demanded an apology: “Without a doubt an apology is owed — to not just Californians, but all Americans.”
The political fallout was swift and fierce. Republican Representative Darrell Issa accused Newsom of “overruling” the Marine Corps by closing the freeway, suggesting the governor was attempting to create chaos and score political points. Others, including Jim Desmond, a San Diego County official, echoed this sentiment, claiming, “The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing live rounds and training beneath I-5 for over 50 years — without closing the freeway.” Some social media users, however, saw the event as a reckless display, with comments such as, “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.”
On the other side, William Martin, Vance’s communications director, told The New York Times, “The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice. Newsom wants people to think this is an absurd show of force. The Marine Corps says it’s part of routine training at Camp Pendleton.” The core of the disagreement seemed to center on whether the demonstration was a routine military exercise or an unnecessary risk staged for political theater.
Behind the scenes, communication between state and federal authorities appeared strained. According to Snopes, the Marines initially insisted the demonstration would not require closing the highway, but the state received late notice from event organizers requesting CalTrans signage to read: “Overhead fire in progress.” This led Newsom’s office to close the freeway, citing “extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions.”
After the incident, the Marines suspended further firing over the freeway and began a thorough investigation. The CHP’s after-action review aims to improve future coordination and prevent similar incidents. The Marine Corps maintains that live-firing trainings occur “year-round” at Camp Pendleton and that the event followed all necessary safety protocols.
As the dust settles—literally and figuratively—the incident has reignited debate over the intersection of public safety, military tradition, and political spectacle. For many, the sight of shrapnel raining down on a California freeway will remain a vivid reminder of the risks involved when military pageantry meets civilian life. The investigation’s outcome, and whether apologies or policy changes follow, will be closely watched by both supporters and critics of the event.
