California Governor Gavin Newsom isn’t letting this one go.
After an artillery shell exploded prematurely over Interstate 5 during a Marine Corps anniversary demonstration, Newsom unloaded on the White House, calling out Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and California Rep. Darrell Issa for ignoring his earlier warnings and dismissing safety concerns.
No one was injured in the blast, but two vehicles were struck by shrapnel — including one from Vance’s security detail.
“This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway,” Newsom’s press office wrote in a blistering post on X, attaching a photo of the unexploded ordnance. “The shrapnel that hit CHP (California Highway Patrol) vehicles over the weekend from Trump and Vance’s military live-munitions demonstration came from this ordnance. It’s no small thing.”
Newsom reposted the statement and doubled down, saying: “Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives at risk to put on a show. If you want to honor our troops, open the government and pay them.”
The incident happened during a military celebration held for the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, hosted at Camp Pendleton — a base that regularly runs artillery training. But what was supposed to be a controlled demonstration turned into a political powder keg after a 155mm shell detonated over the highway.
Newsom had flagged the event days earlier, citing safety concerns after MeidasTouch first reported on plans for live missile launches. His critics dismissed the warnings as alarmist.
“Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous,” JD Vance’s communications director William Martin told The New York Times. “The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice. Newsom wants people to think this is an absurd show of force. The Marine Corps says it’s part of routine training at Camp Pendleton.”
Issa chimed in as well, accusing Newsom of “overruling the best-trained and most-experienced leaders of our Marine Corps” by shutting down parts of I-5.
But the governor is now demanding both an apology and accountability.
“You accused the Governor of overreacting when he closed a portion of the freeway to protect the public,” his office wrote to Issa on X. “And now we learn … live ordinance detonated early, striking a vehicle on a closed portion of the highway during the event. Without a doubt an apology is owed — to not just Californians, but all Americans.”
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that a CHP vehicle was struck by shrapnel, and a motorcycle in Vance’s motorcade was also hit. The damage was minimal — but Newsom is treating it as proof that his caution wasn’t political theater. It was necessary.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”
The First Marine Expeditionary Force, which ran the demonstration, said it’s investigating the incident but defended the operation, claiming all phases were rehearsed.
“Marines fire artillery on Camp Pendleton nearly every week,” their statement read. “Indirect weapon systems, such as the M777, are designed to fire over the heads of friendly forces to achieve effects on our adversary. We trust this system with our lives.”
But the shell didn’t land on an enemy.
It detonated above a freeway in Southern California. And for Newsom, that’s all the evidence he needs.
