California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized Donald Trump for “putting his ego over responsibility” after a military demonstration led to the temporary closure of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton. The move sparked concern over public safety and travel disruptions. Newsom said the military show, which included live artillery fire, forced officials to block a section of the busy highway on Saturday. “Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong – it’s dangerous,” the Democratic governor said. “Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength – it’s reckless and disrespectful.” Earlier, Newsom took to social media platform X to describe the event as an “absurd show of force” that was “totally uncalled for.” US Marine officials stated that the exercise at Camp Pendleton is a standard training activity. Artillery demonstrations are common at the base, and the event was intended to mark the Marines’ 250th anniversary. The exercise included an amphibious capabilities demonstration at Red Beach in Oceanside, attended by thousands of service members, veterans, and families. Vice President JD Vance, a former marine, addressed the crowd, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The demonstration showcased integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations on air, land, and sea. Officials stressed that safety measures were in place, though the exercise required temporary road closures. The California Highway Patrol confirmed that live ammunition would be discharged over the freeway, creating a risk for drivers and necessitating the temporary closure. Matt Rocco, a spokesperson for the California Department of Transportation, said the closure could add up to two hours for travelers moving between San Diego and Los Angeles. The highway carries roughly 80,000 commuters daily, along with $94 million in freight. Passenger rail services running alongside I-5 were also canceled during the event. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions between Trump and Newsom. The California governor has frequently criticized the president’s decisions and framed the military demonstration as a dangerous, politically motivated stunt. Earlier in October, Trump celebrated the Marines’ anniversary aboard an aircraft carrier off the Virginia coast, turning the occasion into a political rally. Saturday’s event coincided with nationwide No Kings marches protesting what organizers call authoritarian tendencies under Trump. Newsom encouraged participants to engage peacefully, calling for civic action against “tyranny and lawlessness.” A spokesperson for Vice President Vance, William Martin, argued that Newsom overstated the risk. “If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose training exercises that ensure our armed forces remain the most lethal in the world, he can go right ahead,” Martin said, emphasizing that the demonstration followed standard procedures. Rocco confirmed that the I-5 closure was directed by the White House to ensure public safety. “Live ordnances were being fired over a public highway. Closing the freeway was necessary to protect the traveling public,” he said. The clash over the military event underscores a broader debate over the balance between political spectacle, public safety, and military operations. While officials defended the exercise as routine, critics warned that combining live artillery with a major interstate presents unnecessary risks.