CAMP PENDLETON — Ordnance fired over the 5 Freeway at Saturday’s 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated, putting and damaging a California Freeway Patrol automobile that was a part of Vice President JD Vance’s element, the CHP stated Sunday.
The incident occurred within the space the place CHP officers had been supporting a visitors break alongside Interstate 5, which had briefly been ordered closed by Caltrans in the course of the live-fire train in a choice that turned a political sizzling level, with Gov. Gavin Newsom criticizing the Trump administration for holding the show, and Newsom drawing criticism himself for the freeway closure.
“This was an uncommon and regarding scenario,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado stated Sunday. “It’s extremely unusual for any live-fire or explosive coaching exercise to happen over an energetic freeway. As a Marine myself, I’ve great respect for our army companions, however my foremost accountability is making certain the protection of the folks of California and the officers who shield them.”
No accidents had been reported.
CHP personnel instantly notified the Marine Corps on the scene, who then canceled firing further reside ordnance over the freeway, and the world was swept for additional analysis, the CHP stated. The company has filed an inner report on the incident, with a advice to conduct an extra after-action overview into the planning, communication and coordination between federal, state, and native authorities round Saturday’s occasion, “to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and coaching occasions close to public roadways.”
A spokeswoman for the First Marine Expeditionary Pressure at Camp Pendleton informed the New York Occasions the Corps was conscious of the report of a potential airborne detonation, and an investigation was underway.
Vance attended Saturday’s demonstration, together with Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and different prime army officers. Vance and his household departed Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Sunday morning for the five-hour flight again to Washington D.C. He made no public remarks earlier than departing.
Saturday’s celebration was dubbed “From Sea to Shore: A Overview of Amphibious Power,” and honored each the 250th birthday of the Marines and the U.S. Navy. The Navy turned 250 on Monday, and the Marines will do the identical on Nov. 10.
“God bless you Marines, God bless you Camp Pendleton. It’s so a lot enjoyable and such an honor to be out right here and to rejoice 250 years of the USA Marines,” Vance stated in the course of the ceremony. “I carry greetings at this time from our commander in chief, Donald J. Trump and he wished me inform each single certainly one of you that he’s happy with you, that he loves you and regardless of the Schumer shutdown, he’s going to do all the things he can to be sure you receives a commission precisely as you deserve.
“For 2-and-a-half centuries now, this beloved corps has served as our nation’s sharp edge. All the time ahead deployed, at all times prepared, and at all times trustworthy.”
With reside ammunition set to be fired over the freeway, state officers initially introduced that they might shut Interstate 5 for security causes from 11 a.m. to three p.m. Saturday from Harbor Drive to Basilone Street. Site visitors instantly backed up after the closure as motorists misplaced the primary thoroughfare connecting south Orange County to San Diego County, and Caltrans later opened the freeway within the early afternoon, however with visitors breaks.
Newsom, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and a potential presidential candidate in 2028, criticized the deliberate show earlier Saturday.
“The president is placing his ego over accountability with this disregard for public security. Firing reside rounds over a busy freeway isn’t simply improper — it’s harmful,” Newsom stated. “Utilizing our army to intimidate folks you disagree with isn’t power — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful and it’s beneath the workplace he holds. Regulation and order? That is chaos and confusion.”
However some Republicans blamed Newsom for the freeway closure, calling it an over-reaction.
“The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing reside rounds and coaching beneath I-5 for over 50 years — with out closing the freeway. There’s zero purpose for this sudden shutdown,” San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond posted on X. “This isn’t simply an inconvenience — it’s going to trigger medical emergencies to be delayed, staff to overlook shifts and households to have their plans and occasions ruined.
“It certain appears to be like like Gavin Newsom is making an attempt to make use of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary to create chaos and rating political factors. If that’s the case, it’s a petty stunt that can solely harm Southern California drivers and households,” he added.
Desmond additionally stated the shutdown “reveals precisely what’s improper with politics. No accountability, no planning — simply finger pointing.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, additionally blasted Newsom on Saturday.
“Gavin Newsom – who by no means served a day within the army – is overruling the best-trained and most skilled leaders of our Marine Corps and shutting down the primary interstate freeway within the San Diego area for no different purpose {that a} spiteful publicity stunt,” Issa stated.
“It’s a disgusting abuse of energy. However by no means stunning.”
Newsom fired again Sunday after the ordnance mishap was reported.
“We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, however subsequent time, the Vice President and the White Home shouldn’t be so reckless with folks’s lives for his or her vainness tasks,” he posted on X.
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