On Saturday, Vice President JD Vance proudly observed a significant military demonstration where Marines fired 155-millimeter artillery shells over a major freeway in Southern California. He described this event as a “testament to the corps’ strength and unbeatable power.” In stark contrast, California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, criticized the display, labeling it an “absurd show of force” and “dangerous.”
During his speech to hundreds of Marines, Vice President Vance took the opportunity to criticize Democrats regarding the ongoing government shutdown, dubbing it the “Schumer shutdown” in reference to Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader from New York. This military exercise, initially intended to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday and showcase the strength of the Marines, became a vivid illustration of the nation's political divide.
While Vice President Vance showcased the military’s capabilities, thousands of protesters rallied across American cities, including nearby Los Angeles and San Diego, expressing their discontent with the Trump administration's domestic policies and its consolidation of power. The day represented a conflicting narrative: while the Vice President highlighted military strength, many citizens voiced their concerns about the administration's authoritarian tendencies.
Newsom articulated his concerns in a social media post, stating, “The values Americans cherish are under assault by” Mr. Trump. He asserted California’s commitment to “peacefully pushing back against the Trump Administration’s authoritarian takeover.” In response, Vance's aides accused Newsom of inciting fear, emphasizing that the Marine Corps had determined that the exercise did not pose a threat to public safety.
Newsom expressed his desire for better communication regarding the demonstration, pointing out that state officials had received minimal information from federal authorities. Earlier in the week, they were informed that the demonstration would not involve firing munitions across the freeway. Despite the administration’s claims of routine exercises, Marine Corps representatives did not clarify how often live munitions had previously been fired over this California freeway.
Prior to the firing of the M777 howitzers from Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, California officials temporarily closed Interstate 5, a vital corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego, for several hours due to potential hazards posed by the demonstration. The Marines had initially planned to fire multiple rounds from Red Beach, but the exercise was scaled back, indicating a compromise amidst the dispute between federal and state authorities.
In his address, Vice President Vance, a veteran himself, expressed his admiration for the Marine Corps and the day’s military display, which included live ammunition, parachuters, Navy SEALs, and F35 jets. He remarked that it made his “heart sing as your vice president.” However, he also utilized the platform to dive into political discourse, framing the military as victims of a progressive cultural agenda and criticizing Democrats for their stance on military diversity programs.
In a bid to secure the support of the troops, Vance pledged that the administration would ensure military personnel are paid during the government shutdown, following President Trump’s directive to the Defense Department to utilize “all available funds” for this purpose. This temporary solution, however, does not extend to numerous federal employees affected by the shutdown. Vance emphasized Trump’s pride in the troops and his commitment to ensuring they receive their deserved compensation.
Veterans like David Nelson, a former Marine captain, found Vance’s speech inspiring, noting a sense of pride in their shared history. However, he raised concerns about the Marine Corps being utilized for local law enforcement duties, especially in light of recent deployments in response to immigration protests. This sentiment echoes the worries of many regarding the military's role in domestic matters.
Residents near Camp Pendleton, such as Sara Kennedy, voiced frustration over the focus on military displays while federal workers’ pay remained uncertain. “It’s frustrating that we’re having to live through this type of time where it seems like peoples’ lives don’t matter, for a show,” she remarked. Meanwhile, others, like 77-year-old veteran Larry St. Marie, noted a decrease in patriotic displays as the nation becomes increasingly polarized.
