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White House Cancels I-5 Closure Plans During Marine Corps Anniversary

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The White House alters plans to shut down the I-5 for a military event at Camp Pendleton; The Freeway will remain open as ‘No Kings Day’ protests and the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps are underway this weekend.

This weekend, the White House intended to shut down part of the 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego due to a live fire demonstration for a military event happening at Camp Pendleton. However, after receiving concerned responses from local officials and residents, the 5 Freeway will now stay open during the event.

In a news release from the same day, the U.S Marines confirmed, “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”

The military event is scheduled for this Saturday, which marks the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps. The event is set to feature a live-fire and amphibious assault demonstration, which could include firing missiles over the Freeway and onto Camp Pendleton. It is also reported that Navy ships will fire missiles around the coast of the base.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other military leaders are set to attend the event, which has been titled “America’s Marines 250: Sea to Shore – A Review of Amphibious Strength”.

Christopher Clark, a spokesperson for Caltrans, told SFGATE they were “informed of potential plans” to close the highway and “cautioned against it.”

Governor Gavin Newsom addressed plans to close I-5 with a post on X on October 15th, writing, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military. PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD.

If road closures had happened, they would likely result in extreme congestion from Dana Point to past Del Mar. The road services over 80,000 travelers, who would all have to find alternate routes of up to 30 additional miles.

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Following the Marine Corps’ announcement that I-5 would remain open, Governor Newsom’s press office responded on X, writing: “We’re relieved the White House backed off its plans to shut down a major interstate. Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government!”

The Marine Corps anniversary comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, as thousands of federal workers are working without pay as lawmakers scramble to find a solution. On Wednesday, a ninth attempt at voting to fund the government ended unsuccessfully, leading into the third week of nationwide shutdowns.

Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, said, “We are ready, willing to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people.”

Air traffic controller Peter Lefevre said about the shutdown, “Not knowing how I’m going to have child care for my kids, put gas in the car or pay the next mortgage payment, adds a certain level of stress to an already stressful profession.”

The spectacular event is the latest in a series of costly military investments made by the administration at the expense of taxpayers. While the military continues to see significant budget increases, Federal workers, active duty members and American citizens are facing budget cuts and economic hardship. All the while, the government remains at a standstill over the future of its funding.

The event at Camp Pendleton coincides with another round of ‘No Kings Day’ protests scheduled for this weekend. Upcoming demonstrations are expected to bring out millions of citizens across the country who oppose the current administration.

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Natalia Oprzadek

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