California’s Newsom Criticizes Artillery Plan During Vance’s Highway Visit

The recent plan to conduct live artillery fire over Interstate 5 in Southern California has sparked significant controversy. This military demonstration, part of a showcase attended by Vice President JD Vance, drew sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Governor Newsom’s Reaction to the Artillery Plan

Governor Newsom expressed serious safety concerns regarding the artillery fire planned for the busy highway. He stated that “firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous.” In response to these concerns, a portion of the highway was closed to protect the public.

Marine Corps Officials’ Defense

U.S. Marine officials defended the exercise, indicating that firing artillery at Camp Pendleton is routine. They asserted that the operation would adhere to established safety protocols. According to Captain Gregory Dreibelbis of the Marines, the exercises are conducted weekly without posing risks to motorists.

Traffic Disruptions and Public Safety Measures

Despite the Marines’ reassurances, state transportation officials decided to shut down a 17-mile stretch of the freeway during the event. This closure was implemented after practice firings earlier in the week and a request from organizers to alert drivers to “Overhead fire in progress.”

• Closure duration: Several hours during the artillery showcase
• Estimated traffic cost: Up to two additional hours for travelers
• Daily travelers on I-5: Approximately 80,000
• Daily freight value on I-5: About $94 million

Political Tensions and Criticism

The incident also revealed underlying political tensions. Republican representatives, including U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, accused Newsom of using the situation as a “spiteful publicity stunt.” Vance’s spokesperson, William Martin, labeled Newsom’s statements about safety as misleading.

Impact on Commuters and Passenger Rail Services

The highway closure led to severe traffic delays on Saturday morning and early afternoon, frustrating many commuters. Additionally, passenger rail services running parallel to I-5 were also suspended during this period of military activity.

This incident underlines the ongoing conflict between military operations and local governance, especially concerning public safety protocols. As the situation unfolds, discussions on balancing military training and community safety are likely to continue.