Marine Corps Celebrates 250th Anniversary Amid Controversy
The U.S. Marine Corps is gearing up to mark its 250th anniversary with a ceremony at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. This event will be presided over by Vice President J.D. Vance, who is notably the first former Marine to hold the office.
In attendance will be key figures like Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps Eric M. Smith. It’s expected that over 15,000 attendees, including Marines, Navy sailors, veterans, and their families, will gather for a demonstration showcasing Navy and Marine Corps operations across various terrains—land, air, and sea.
After the military display, there will be a beach party at Del Mar Beach featuring food, live music, and activities for families. However, those looking to attend will need to adhere to base access guidelines, which include presenting a valid government ID and passing a vehicle inspection.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed strong reservations about military demonstrations, particularly in regard to shutting down highways for such events. He called the practice dangerous, even though conducting military training at the Pendleton base is common.
“This is a highly unreasonable show of force and could directly endanger Californians,” Newsom asserted. “Flying live ammunition on busy highways without coordination between state, federal and local partners is not only wrong, it is dangerous.”
He elaborated on social media, arguing that using the military to intimidate political opponents doesn’t project strength but rather weakness.
“It makes you look weak,” he noted, labeling the approach as reckless and disrespectful.
On Saturday, Newsom’s office announced that the White House had refused to close off freeway access near Camp Pendleton. His administration, citing a lack of transparency, claimed that California’s transportation and public safety experts suggested closing the freeway as the safest option for the public during the events.
Earlier this week, Newsom had criticized the idea of closing the highway, suggesting that such actions were more about vanity than respect for military personnel.
“Donald Trump and J.D. Vance think closing I-5 to launch missiles from ships is a way to respect the military,” he tweeted. “Put your vanity aside and pay our troops instead.”
This statement referenced the government shutdown that began in 2018, during which military personnel faced paycheck delays. However, a presidential memorandum was issued later that authorized funding to continue paying the military during funding lapses.
During the week, officials clarified that firefighting practices occurred near an open highway, raising safety concerns. The closure of Interstate 5 is planned from Harvard Drive in Oceanside to Basilone Road between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of the celebration.
