California Governor Gavin Newsom has unleashed a fierce attack on President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance after a live artillery round detonated prematurely over Interstate 5 during a military demonstration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday. The event was part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
While no injuries were reported, fragments from the explosion struck two vehicles, including one from Vice President Vance’s security motorcade. The incident has now sparked an intense political clash between the White House and California’s governor, exposing deep divisions over safety protocols, leadership accountability, and political showmanship.
The Incident: A Live Round Over I-5
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 155-millimeter artillery shell detonated earlier than expected during a scheduled Marine Corps demonstration. The blast occurred above a section of Interstate 5, which had been temporarily closed for the event.
Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing metallic debris scatter across the road. CHP officials later confirmed that one of their patrol vehicles and a motorcycle escorting Vance’s convoy were struck by shrapnel.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, himself a former Marine. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. While we deeply respect the Marine Corps, our first priority is public safety.”
Vance vs. Newsom turns into a cliffhanger — new poll shows race too close to call
The First Marine Expeditionary Force, which oversaw the event, has launched a formal investigation into the mishap. In a statement, the unit emphasized that “rehearsals were conducted to ensure success at every phase” and that indirect weapon systems like the M777 Howitzer were standard tools in military training.
Newsom’s Anger Boils Over
Governor Gavin Newsom quickly condemned the incident, accusing the Trump administration and Vice President Vance of “reckless disregard for public safety.”
“The shrapnel that hit CHP vehicles over the weekend from Trump and Vance’s live-munitions demonstration came from this ordnance,” his press office wrote on X (formerly Twitter), attaching a photo of the exploded shell casing. “This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway.”
Newsom reposted the statement from his official account, adding a sharp rebuke of the federal government’s handling of the event.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance put lives at risk to put on a show,” Newsom wrote. “If you want to honor our troops, open the government and pay them.”
His comments referred to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has delayed paychecks for thousands of active-duty personnel and civilian defense workers.
Newsom argued that the administration’s focus on spectacle over substance had “turned a celebration of service into a moment of danger.”
White House and GOP Respond
Vice President JD Vance’s communications director, William Martin, dismissed Newsom’s accusations, calling them “performative politics.”
“Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous,” Martin told The New York Times. “The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice. He wants to turn a routine demonstration into a political stunt.”
California Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican who represents the area near Camp Pendleton, also fired back at the governor. “Newsom chose to overrule the best-trained and most-experienced leaders of our Marine Corps,” Issa said. “He’s grandstanding instead of showing respect for the men and women who protect this country.”
But after the explosion, Newsom’s team demanded an apology from both Issa and the Vice President.
“You accused the Governor of overreacting when he closed a portion of the freeway to protect the public,” his press office wrote. “And now we learn that live ordnance detonated early, striking vehicles. Without a doubt, an apology is owed — not just to Californians, but to all Americans.”
A Pattern of Political Conflict
This isn’t the first time tensions have flared between Gavin Newsom and the Trump-Vance administration. Since Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year, the California governor has become one of his most vocal critics — clashing over issues ranging from climate policy and border enforcement to healthcare and infrastructure funding.
Political analysts say the artillery mishap has now become a new flashpoint in their ongoing feud.
“Newsom is positioning himself as the national face of resistance to Trump’s second term,” said Dr. Elaine Turner, a political science professor at UCLA. “This incident gives him the opportunity to highlight what he sees as the administration’s recklessness and disregard for safety.”
Investigation Underway
The Marine Corps has confirmed that an internal safety review is in progress. Preliminary findings suggest that a timing malfunction may have caused the shell to detonate earlier than expected, though officials stress that such incidents are “extremely rare.”
“Marines fire artillery on Camp Pendleton nearly every week,” a spokesperson said. “Indirect systems like the M777 are designed to fire over friendly forces safely. We trust these systems with our lives.”
Still, the public outcry has led to renewed scrutiny of military demonstrations held near populated areas.
The Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense are expected to issue updated safety guidelines following the incident.
Public Safety vs. Public Relations
For Newsom, the explosion reinforced his argument that the administration prioritizes public image over public safety. For the White House, it’s another instance of what they describe as “Democratic hysteria.”
Yet both sides appear to agree on one thing: the event could have ended far worse.
“This could have been a tragedy,” said CHP’s Coronado. “We’re lucky no one was injured. Safety must come before politics.”
As investigations continue, the fallout from California’s “live-fire fiasco” is likely to ripple through both state and federal politics — underscoring how even a military salute can ignite a political firefight.
