Newsom hits ‘reckless’ military display after highway patrol vehicle hit by shrapnel

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called Saturday’s Marine Corps live-fire training demonstration in his state “reckless” after a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle was damaged.

CHP said Sunday that one of its vehicles, on Interstate 5, was damaged by metal shrapnel from an explosive artillery shell fired during the demonstration at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were at the base to celebrate the Marines’ 250th Birthday on Nov. 10. 

“We love our Marines and owe a debt of to gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects,” Newsom said Sunday on the social platform X.

CHP said that no injuries were reported, while Tony Coronado, its border division chief, called the incident “unusual and concerning” in the patrol’s release. Coronado added that it was “highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”

Prior to the demonstration, Newsom temporarily closed the highway due to safety concerns. In a statement before the event, he said the Trump administration is “using our military to intimidate people [they] disagree with,” and added that he closed the highway at the recommendation of CHP traffic safety experts.

The Pentagon and Vance’s office referred The Hill to the Marines for comment.

On the social platform X on Saturday, the White House’s rapid response team said the Marines “repeatedly said there are no public safety concerns with today’s exercises.”

Later in the afternoon, after the incident, Newsom’s press office said the White House “misled Californians about the live munitions” being shot over the highway. 

“Without a doubt an apology is owed — to not just Californians, but all Americans,” his office added.