By Sarah Raza | Related Press
“The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” the Democratic governor mentioned in a press release. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.”
Vance and U.S. Marine officers at Camp Pendleton have mentioned there was nothing unsafe in regards to the artillery train and no have to disrupt visitors on Interstate 5, which is the principle freeway alongside the Pacific coast between San Diego and Los Angeles.
The Republican vice chairman and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County to have a good time the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, and watch troops placed on a present of amphibious autos and plane demonstrating a seaside assault.
The state had thought-about closing the freeway earlier within the week, however the U.S. Marines mentioned Thursday that the occasion would happen on accredited coaching ranges and comport with established security protocols.
State transportation officers finally made the choice to shut the freeway after observe firings over the freeway Friday night and a request from occasion organizers for signage alongside the street stating “Overhead fire in progress.”
California Freeway Patrol closed a stretch of the freeway Saturday. Extreme visitors delays had been reported Saturday morning and early afternoon within the space across the base.
“This is all because of the White House-directed military event, that for the safety of the public, we need to shut down the freeway since they’re sending live ordinances over the freeway,” California Division of Transportation spokesperson Matt Rocco mentioned.
The Related Press has reached out to Vance’s workplace and the U.S. Marines for remark.
Rocco mentioned the I-5 closure may price as much as one other two hours of journey time for these commuting between San Diego and Los Angeles. The freeway carries with 80,000 vacationers and $94 million in freight by way of the hall each day, based on the governor’s workplace. Passenger rail companies operating parallel to the I-5 have additionally been canceled for the afternoon.
Initially Revealed: October 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM PDT
