Vice President J.D. Vance Speaks at Marine Corps Celebration
Vice President J.D. Vance addressed Marines on Saturday during a celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, in anticipation of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary on November 10.
Joined by his daughter Usha, as well as Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Vance participated in a tour showcasing amphibious capabilities to kick off the event.
Following the display, Vance, Hegseth, and Phelan spoke to the Marines present at the base.
Vance acknowledged the significant role Marines play in safeguarding the nation, stating, “We know that your work protecting our country and risking your lives to protect our way of life is at the heart of Marine Corps service.”
He highlighted that the Marine Corps’ strength comes from a “common purpose,” rather than focusing on diversity. “Right now, we recognize that it’s not our diversity that makes us strong. It’s our common purpose, our common mission, and the fact that every single person here has green blood in the Marine Corps,” he remarked.
The Vice President criticized “diversity quotas” and “partisan politics,” arguing that they obstruct the Marine Corps’ ability to excel. “When we fail to perform at our best on the battlefield, we’re putting everyone’s lives at risk,” he added, noting that efforts to refocus on core values like discipline and readiness are essential.
Reflecting on his own time in the Marine Corps, Vance shared how those years shaped his life and career. “Without those four years of service, I wouldn’t be Vice President of the United States,” he mentioned.
He recalled feeling apprehensive about joining but was motivated by his cousin Rachel, who encouraged him to meet with a recruiter. “I’ll never forget that conversation. The recruiter told me, ‘You don’t join the Marines to make money,'” Vance recounted, emphasizing the values of discipline and leadership that he found appealing.
As he wrapped up his speech, he expressed a sense of duty not just to himself, but to the country: “My country needs me just as my country needs each and every one of you today.”
As Vance concluded, Creed’s “Take Me Higher” played in the background, accompanied by a helicopter flying over the camp.
Before the event, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and several news sources shared unverified reports suggesting that the Trump administration was considering shutting down Interstate 5 due to anticipated protests, a claim denied by the Marine Corps.
Ultimately, Newsom ordered the closure of a segment of Interstate 5 on Saturday, following concerns that fragments had fell onto the highway during a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Newsom’s decision, which contradicted military advice to keep the highway open, emphasized the complexities around safety and logistics during such events. Lt. Col. Lindsey Pirek of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force expressed commitment to investigating the cause of the incident to improve future operations.
