The entrance to Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside. (File photo by Gregory Bull/Associated Press)
A section of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton was closed for a few hours Saturday while the U.S. military conducts a demonstration involving live ammunition discharged over the freeway — with the exercise and the closure being blasted by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were set to attend Saturday’s 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, which was dubbed “From Sea to Shore: A Review of Amphibious Strength.”
The Navy turned 250 on Monday, and the Marines will do the same on Nov. 10. Navy Secretary John Phelan and Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith were also scheduled to attend.
The freeway will be closed from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road from approximately 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., potentially causing a major inconvenience to Southland motorists who will lose the main artery connecting south Orange County to San Diego County.
Caltrans said drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event.
Passenger rail service on the adjacent rail line will also be disrupted for a time Saturday afternoon. More details were available at pacificsurfliner.com/alerts, and metrolinktrains.com.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and a possible presidential candidate in 2028, criticized the planned display.
“The president is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous,” Newsom said Saturday. “Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion.”
Federal officials said that in advance of the training event and demonstration, a detailed risk assessment was conducted at the base and all participants were to be briefed, while medical, fire and emergency responders and equipment would be on site.
As originally announced, the demonstration was described as an integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land and sea, base officials said.
“The force training activities planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our nation’s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges today and in the years ahead,” a spokesperson with Camp Pendleton said in a statement. “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols.”
Marine officials said all air, surface and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.
Plans for the live-fire demonstration had prompted criticism from Newsom as early as Wednesday, when he called the event “an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck.”
The exercise was also criticized by Rep. Mike Levin, D-Carlsbad.
“As the proud representative for Camp Pendleton, I have the deepest respect for our Marines, sailors, and their families. Their service, discipline, and sacrifice represent the best of America,” Levin said in a statement Saturday morning.
” … Unfortunately, reports confirming that artillery will be fired over Interstate 5 — requiring full freeway and rail closures — have caused understandable frustration throughout the surrounding community. These actions pose unnecessary safety risks and significant disruptions for residents, businesses, and first responders.
“Public safety and the reputation of the Marine Corps are far more important than the political agendas of J.D. Vance or Pete Hegseth. The Marine Corps has earned the trust of the American people over 250 years by upholding the values of honor, courage, and commitment. Those values call for professionalism, sound judgment, and respect for the public they protect.
“We can and should celebrate the Marine Corps in a manner consistent with those values — one that honors their proud legacy without compromising safety or community wellbeing. The best way to pay tribute to our Marines is to give them the modern facilities, resources, and support they need to remain the world’s finest fighting force.”
But San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican, blamed the closure on Newsom.
“The Marines at Camp Pendleton have been firing live rounds and training beneath I-5 for over 50 years — without closing the freeway. There is zero reason for this sudden shutdown,” Desmond posted on X. “This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s going to cause medical emergencies to be delayed, workers to miss shifts, and families to have their plans and events ruined.
“It sure looks like Gavin Newsom is trying to use the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary to create chaos and score political points. If that’s the case, it’s a petty stunt that will only hurt Southern California drivers and families,” he added.
Desmond also said the shutdown “shows exactly what’s wrong with politics. No accountability, no planning — just finger-pointing while everyday people sit in traffic, miss work, and watch their plans fall apart.”
The Orange County Republican Party also blamed the freeway shutdown on Newsom.
“Newsom shut down the 5 today to cause chaos around a Marine Corps celebration. What a jerk,” the party posted on X.
According to Los Angeles Magazine, the White House initially “intended to shut down part of the 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego” but later dropped those plans after receiving complaints from local officials and residents.
U.S Marines officials later said “No public highways or transportation routes” would be closed.
Officials in Newsom’s office said they were notified Thursday that “the U.S. Marine Corps confirmed their exercise would be conducted on its training ranges, as it routinely does, but not over the freeway. That afternoon, the federal government also directed cancellation of train services, which run parallel to the I-5, on Saturday between Orange County-San Diego County.
“Late on Friday, the state then received notice from event organizers asking for CalTrans signage to be posted along the I-5 freeway that would read: `Overhead fire in progress.’ Also on Friday, state officials near Camp Pendleton observed live munitions being fired near the freeway, an apparent practice run. Early Saturday morning, after the state inquired once again for details, the federal government informed the state that live fire activities have now been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. [Saturday].
“Due to extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions, a section of I-5 will be closed for a period on Saturday. This decision comes at the recommendation of traffic safety experts at the California Highway Patrol. [The] I-5 is Southern California’s economic backbone, supporting over 80,000 travelers and moving $94 million in freight everyday between San Diego and Orange Counties. Just north of Oceanside, more than 65,000 vehicles cross county lines daily — half those trips for work.”
Previously announced road closures include:
— Del Mar Bridge will be closed to foot traffic on Oct. 18;
— Las Pulgas Road north of the intersection of Stuart Mesa Road will be closed until 6 a.m. on Oct. 19;
— Stuart Mesa Road from Fire Base Gloria to Las Pulgas Road and Las Pulgas Road from Fire Station 6 to Stuart Mesa Road;
— Basilone Road, from San Mateo Road to Meadowlark Drive is closed due to damage;
— Roblar Road (Case Springs Road), from Montigo to Buffalo is closed.
The following gates will be closed:
— Las Pulgas Gate closed until 6 a.m., Oct.19;
— Del Mar Gate closed to all inbound traffic on Saturday. Only outbound traffic will be permitted.
Motorists were advised to consult quickmap.dot.ca.gov for updated traffic information.
Following the demonstration, Marines, sailors and families will gather at Del Mar Beach for the Beach Bash, a celebration that “recognizes the people who form the foundation of the Marine Corps’ strength — our families and the community — as we share in the celebration of 250 years of service,” officials said. The event will include food vendors, music, static displays and family activities.
The White House Production Office said it would film the demonstration for broadcast on Nov. 9.
I-5 is a critical economic corridor for Southern California, carrying more than 80,000 travelers and moving $94 million in freight daily between San Diego and Orange counties. Just north of Oceanside, over 65,000 vehicles cross county lines each day, half of them for work. Officials estimate $8.2 million in daily visitor spending could be lost due to the closure, along with delays for thousands of truck shipments relying on uninterrupted access.
Drivers should expect significant delays on Interstate 5 and other regional routes before, during, and after the event. Travelers are encouraged to check real-time traffic conditions at quickmap.dot.ca.gov before heading through the area.
Updated at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18, 2025
City News contributed to this report
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