250th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: Clock Unveiling Ceremony
The ship passed through the Delaware River, marking the beginning of the 250th anniversary celebrations for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The festival continues in November.
On October 18, major highways in Southern California were shut down as U.S. Marines conducted demonstrations with live ammunition, sparking another standoff between the state’s governor and the federal government.
The California Highway Patrol announced on the morning of Oct. 18 that a 25-mile stretch of the highway, stretching from Harvard Drive to Basilone Road, will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. local time to 3 p.m. local time. The news comes after days of back-and-forth between Gov. Gavin Newsom, federal officials and the Marine Corps over whether demonstrations require road closures.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth are scheduled to attend an event commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary at Camp Pendleton.
The Marine Corps said in a statement earlier in the week that the event would take place “at an approved training range and in compliance with established safety procedures.”
“No public roads or traffic routes will be closed,” the statement said.
State officials say road and rail delays are expected across Southern California.
An Oct. 18 California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) news release called it an “unscheduled closure.” Interstate 5 will be closed “due to a White House-led military event at Camp Pendleton where live ammunition will be discharged on the highway,” Caltrans said.
“Due to the event and closures, motorists should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state highways throughout Southern California before, during and after the event,” Caltrans said.
In addition to the coastal highway, officials said the Southern California Railroad along the same route from San Diego to Los Angeles would be disrupted in the afternoon.
But Newsom called it an “absurd show of force” and said on the morning of the event that the demonstration would also include firing “explosive cannons” over the freeway. Newsom said the decision to close was due to “extreme life safety hazards and driver distraction, including sudden and unexpected loud explosions.”
“The President has disregarded public safety and prioritized ego over responsibility. Firing live ammunition on a busy highway is not only wrong, it is dangerous,” Newsom said in a statement. “Using the military to intimidate people with whom he disagrees is not strength. It is reckless, disrespectful and contrary to his office. Law and order? This is chaos and chaos.”
Interstate 5 is a major connection between coastal San Diego and Orange counties. This busy highway runs for approximately 20 miles, directly past Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, and there are no other major thoroughfares in the area.
The Marine Corps said in a statement to USA TODAY on Oct. 18 that it was not calling for a closure.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as our Marines and sailors conducted realistic training during today’s historic amphibious capability demonstration, demonstrating the strength and unity of the Navy and Marine Corps team and ensuring our readiness to defend our homeland and our interests abroad,” the statement said.
Newsom said Caltrans received a request from event organizers to post signs along Interstate 5 that read “Overhead Fire.” The governor said state officials also witnessed live rounds being fired near the highway on Oct. 17 in an apparent test drive.
The governor’s office expected delays on Interstate 5 and other routes starting Oct. 18, noting that 65,000 vehicles use the route each day to travel between San Diego and Orange counties.
Rep. Mike Levin, a California Democrat whose district includes Camp Pendleton, said on social media that public safety and the reputation of the Marine Corps are “far more important than the political objectives of J.D. Vance and Pete Hegseth.”
“We can and should celebrate the Marine Corps in a way that honors our proud heritage without compromising safety or the well-being of our communities,” he said.
