URGENT UPDATE: California Governor Gavin Newsom is demanding accountability from the White House following a shocking incident during a Marine Corps celebration on Saturday, October 14, 2023. An artillery shell detonated prematurely over Interstate 5, raising serious safety concerns and igniting a fierce exchange between Newsom and members of the Trump administration.
The live-fire demonstration, part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, resulted in shrapnel hitting two vehicles, including one belonging to Vice President JD Vance‘s motorcade. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident has drawn immediate criticism from Newsom, who took to social media to express his outrage.
“This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway,” Newsom’s press office stated, sharing a photo of the artillery shell involved. Newsom further emphasized, “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 controversy erupted after MeidasTouch reported last week that the Marine Corps planned to conduct live missile exercises. Newsom’s concerns were belittled by Vance’s office and California Representative Darrell Issa, who claimed the exercise was routine and safe. Vance’s communications director, William Martin, dismissed Newsom’s concerns as exaggerated, stating, “The Marine Corps says it’s an established and safe practice.”
However, after the shell detonated, Newsom’s office demanded apologies from those who had criticized his initial response to the event. “You accused the Governor of overreacting when he closed a portion of the freeway to protect the public,” the statement read, calling for accountability from Vance and Issa. “Without a doubt an apology is owed — to not just Californians, but all Americans.”
In response to the incident, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that shrapnel from the detonation struck one of their vehicles, with CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado stating, “This was an unusual and concerning situation. It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”
The First Marine Expeditionary Force, which conducted the demonstration, is currently investigating the incident. They maintain that safety rehearsals were conducted prior to the exercise, asserting, “Marines fire artillery on Camp Pendleton nearly every week… We trust this system with our lives.”
This incident has sparked a debate over military training protocols and public safety, placing significant pressure on the Trump administration as it faces scrutiny from both sides of the aisle.
As this story develops, it remains critical to monitor the reactions from both Vance and Issa, as well as any potential repercussions for military training policies in civilian areas. Stay tuned for updates as officials respond to Governor Newsom’s urgent calls for accountability.
