Newsom clashes with White House over Marine Corps celebration highway closure

A celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County on Saturday sparked a heated exchange on social media between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House.

The event — titled “USMC 250: From Sea to Shore: A Review of Amphibious Forces” — included a host of ceremonies at the Marine Corps base, including a large-scale live-fire demonstration attended by Vice president J.D. Vance.

Newsom criticized the display of military force as “dangerous” and a “ridiculous show of force,” announcing Saturday that a portion of Interstate 5 near the base would be temporarily closed during the ceremony.

“Due to the Trump administration’s plans, drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state roads throughout Southern California before, during, and after the event,” Newsom posted on X.

Vice President Vance’s camp accuses California Governor. Gavin Newsom spreads ‘fake news’ ahead of Marine Corps ceremony

The Democrat doubled down on his stance later in the day, accusing the White House of denying earlier in the week the need to close any highways, despite the use of live ammunition.

Newsom sues Trump administration over order to deploy California National Guard to Oregon

However, the White House was quick to respond, accusing Newsom of distorting the facts.

“Newscomb is lying,” the White House Rapid Response account posted on

The White House account also retweeted a post

A view of a U.S. Navy airbag on the beach during an amphibious assault demonstration as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration attended by Vice President J.D. Vance, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday. (Reuters/Mike Blake)

Newsom then responded, “The [California Highway Patrol] Highway safety experts say what anyone with common sense knows: It is not safe for people to drive on a major highway at high speeds directly under live ordnance.

“The White House doesn’t communicate, puts the public at risk, then tries to blame the governor for doing the right thing — keeping people out of harm’s way — and lives another day in Trump’s authoritarian America,” he added.

The standoff between Trump and Newsom reaches court with family ties to the nation’s highest judiciary

The exchange came after days of tension between Newsom and the Trump administration over the Camp Pendleton event.

Earlier in the week, California’s governor called the anniversary celebration a “show of vanity.”

“Donald Trump and J.D. Vance think closing I-5 to launch missiles from ships is the way to disrespect the military,” Newsom posted on X Wednesday, while republishing an X post from left-leaning outlet MeidasTouch that claimed the White House planned to close parts of I-5 during the event. “Put aside your ego parade and pay our troops instead.”

However, William Martin, Special Assistant to the President and Communications Director for the Vice President, quickly opposed Newsom.

Vice President J.D. Vance attends an amphibious capabilities demonstration as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebrations at Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Saturday. (Oliver Contreras/Pool via Reuters)

“This is completely fake news,” Martin declared in a post on X, which was reposted by the @VPX account. “The Marine Corps said they will not close I-5 and that the event at Camp Pendleton is a training exercise. President Trump is also paying troops despite Chuck Schumer’s efforts to hold their paychecks hostage.”

“No public highways or transportation routes will be closed,” a Marine Corps news release Wednesday about the ceremonies said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Extensive safety measures were implemented at the celebration — expected to draw more than 15,000 attendees — including detailed risk assessments, on-site emergency crews, and fully scripted air, surface and ground movements, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported earlier in the week, citing event organizers.

Newsom and the White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Netsberg contributed to this report.