Newsom closes I-5 amid artillery safety dispute | JQJO

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered intermittent closures of a 17-mile stretch of I-5 near Camp Pendleton, citing public safety as Marines planned to fire live artillery over the highway during a showcase attended by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Marine officials insisted the exercise was safe and routine, and Republicans blasted the shutdown. Severe delays followed, and passenger rail was canceled for the afternoon, though no mishaps were reported. The event marked the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary with beach-assault demonstrations and aircraft shot across the sky.