California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump’s proposal to conduct a military demonstration involving the firing of artillery shells over a California highway. This event was intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.

Newsom described the plan as “profoundly absurd,” expressing concerns that such a display of military might could endanger the safety of Californians. He emphasized that this show of force was unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

In response, Newsom took decisive action by closing a 17-mile section of Interstate 5, a major route connecting Los Angeles and San Diego. This decision led to significant traffic congestion on Saturday as travelers faced substantial delays.

While the Trump administration maintained that the artillery exercise was planned to honor the Marine Corps’ milestone, Newsom pointed out the timing coincided with the “No Kings” protests, which were organized by anti-Trump groups.

“Deploying our military to intimidate those with differing views is not a demonstration of strength,” Newsom told the New York Times. “It is reckless, disrespectful, and unworthy of the presidential office.”

Newsom – a possible contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 – also took to X to slate the plans, accusing Trump of failing to safely coordinate the artillery fire with California officials. 

‘It is not safe for people to drive on a major freeway at high speeds directly under LIVE MUNITIONS,’ his office wrote. 

‘White House not communicating, endangering the public, and then trying to blame the Governor for doing the right thing — keeping people out of harm’s way — yet another day living in Trump’s authoritarian America.’ 

Gavin Newsom slammed Donald Trump ‘s plans to fire artillery shells over a California highway as part of a military demonstration on Saturday  

The artillery fire was part of a round of demonstrations the US military held on Saturday in California to celebrate the Marines’ 250th anniversary 

Marines seen performing an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Saturday near Camp Pendleton, California 

Despite Newsom’s hand-wringing over Trump’s military spectacle, the White House insisted on Saturday that the artillery fire from Camp Pendleton was safe. 

‘Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous,’ William Martin, the communications director for Vice President JD Vance, said in a statement. 

‘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.

‘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.’ 

The highway closures on Saturday caused around an hour of delays and led to huge lines of drivers sat in traffic.  

Gregory Dreibelbis, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton said practice fire of M777 Howitzers was tested at a nearby beach on Friday evening to make sure it was safe. 

‘M777 artillery pieces have historically been fired during routine training from land-based artillery firing points west of I-5 into impact areas east of the interstate within existing safety protocols and without the need to close the route,’ Dreibelbis said. 

He described the move as an ‘established and safe practice.’  

Newsom’s decision to shut down the highway on Saturday led to gridlock  

Although the Trump administration said the artillery fire was to mark the Marine Corps’ anniversary, Newsom said it was no accident that it also fell on the same day anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests were held

The artillery fire event was attended in California by Vice President JD Vance, who told Marines in a speech to around 15,000 servicemen that the US would ‘always need’ their ‘warrior spirit’ 

A team of U.S. Navy SEALS emerge onto the beach during the America’s Marines 250 event at Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach

Oceanside’s assistant police chief John McKean added to the LA Times that although authorities did not expect the artillery fire to hit traffic, the dramatic move could still distract motorists. 

‘It’s not like they’re going to get hit by explosives or anything like that, it’s just loud booms, and it may frighten [drivers when the rounds are] going to go off, because it’s going to be going off for about a good 15 or 20 minutes,’ McKean said.  

The artillery fire event was attended in California by Vance, who told Marines in a speech to around 15,000 servicemen that the US would ‘always need’ their ‘warrior spirit.’ 

Vance also remarked on the ongoing government shutdown, telling recruits that ‘despite the Schumer Shutdown, (Trump) is going to do everything he can to make sure you get paid exactly as you deserve.’