A plan to fire live artillery shells over a major Southern California highway as part of a military showcase attended by Vice President JD Vance has drawn strong objections from Gov.

Posts claiming the U.S. Marine Corps fired live ammunition over Interstate 5 in Southern California, causing the highway to close temporarily during what the Marines called "a live-fire amphibious capabilities demonstration" at Camp Pendleton, circulated online in mid-October 2025.

California governor Gavin Newsom deemed the artillery showcase an “absurd show of force”. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The U.S. Marine Corps' live-fire from Camp Pendleton as part of its 250th birthday celebration will cause Interstate 5 to be closed for four hours on Saturday.

A live-fire mishap that caused metal shrapnel to damage a patrol vehicle while Vice President Vance was visiting a California military base is facing intense scrutiny from officials who question

An artillery round fired over Interstate 5 at Sunday’s live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated, striking and damaging a California Highway Patrol vehicle that was part of Vice President JD Vance’s detail, the CHP said Sunday.

CHP reports that a section of Interstate 5 in San Diego — from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road in Oceanside — will be closed from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m

Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the federal government for allowing a live-fire military demonstration at Camp Pendleton to take place near the heavily trafficked I-5 freeway, prompting a temporary closure of the highway and causing potential disruption to the local economy.

The military showcase has drawn has drawn strong objections from Gov. Newsom, who said safety concerns forced him to close a 17-mile portion of the interstate.