A new feud between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration has cropped up.
It stems from what appears to be a lack of clear communication over a celebration being held at Camp Pendleton on Saturday that will utilize live artillery.
On Wednesday, MeidasTouch, a “pro-democracy” news source, reported that the Trump administration planned to launch missiles from warships toward California as part of a U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration.
MeidasTouch initially reported that “major sections” of Interstate-5 would be shut down near Camp Pendleton for safety.
As Newsom noted in a social media post, federal employees, including military members, are unpaid during a government shutdown. Using their unpaid labor to shut down part of a major highway for a Marine Corps birthday celebration “would be an absurd show of force” and “totally uncalled for” according to Newsom.
Saturday, Oct. 18 is also a “No Kings” nationwide protest expected to attract millions across the country.
The Marine Corps released a statement rebuking the rumor that part of I-5 would be closed, but confirmed the agency would be using live artillery in its demonstration.
The release also said that the training events will take place on approved training ranges.
Though the celebration is just two days away, the Marine Corps said all participants will be briefed and multiple rehearsals will be conducted.
In response to the release, Newsom took to social media to express his relief that no public highways would be shut down.
“Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government!”
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