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Trump Administration Debunks California Governor’s False Claims About Highway Closure
The Trump administration issued a sharp rebuke to California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, refuting his claim that portions of Interstate 5 would be closed for a military showcase event this weekend.
Newsom sparked controversy when he posted on social media that “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military.” The California governor urged the administration to “PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD,” seemingly linking the planned military exercise to the ongoing government shutdown.
Taylor Van Kirk, the vice president’s press secretary, quickly responded to the allegations, telling The Daily Signal: “Governor Newsom is deliberately spreading Fake News to Californians to fearmonger and score cheap political points.”
The dispute centers around a planned Marine Corps training exercise scheduled for Saturday at Red Beach, Camp Pendleton in Southern California. According to official Marine Corps documentation, the event is part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Corps.
William Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications director to the vice president, directly contradicted Newsom’s claims by sharing the Marine Corps’ official announcement on social media. The document explicitly states: “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”
“This is complete fake news,” Martin wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “The Marine Corps said they are NOT shutting down the I-5 highway and that the event at Camp Pendleton is a training exercise.”
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the federal government shutdown, now in its third week. The impasse has resulted from disagreements between Senate Democrats and Republicans in both chambers of Congress over funding legislation. The shutdown has caused thousands of federal workers to be furloughed without pay and led to the closure of various federal facilities including Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo.
Van Kirk emphasized that Vice President Vance is “eager to be in California on Saturday celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Corps alongside United States Marines.” She added that “despite the Democrats’ shutdown, [troops] will continue to receive pay thanks to President Trump’s hard work.”
The exchange highlights the increasingly tense political environment as the government shutdown continues with no immediate resolution in sight. Politicians on both sides have been quick to assign blame for the shutdown’s impacts, with Republicans accusing Democrats of obstructionism and Democrats criticizing Republican priorities.
For residents of Southern California, the clarification about Interstate 5 remaining open comes as welcome news, particularly for those who rely on the major north-south transportation artery for weekend travel. The I-5 corridor serves as a critical infrastructure component for both commuters and commercial traffic throughout the state.
Military training exercises like the one planned at Camp Pendleton typically attract significant public interest, especially when they feature demonstrations of military capabilities and equipment. The Marine Corps has a substantial presence in Southern California, with Camp Pendleton serving as one of the Corps’ major West Coast installations.
As the political sparring continues, the Marine Corps appears focused on maintaining its scheduled training and commemoration activities while ensuring minimal disruption to civilian infrastructure and transportation networks.
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12 Comments
This seems like a classic case of partisan finger-pointing. While I understand the governor’s desire to criticize the administration, accusing them of ‘fake news’ is just as problematic. A more measured approach would be better.
I agree. Constructive dialogue and fact-checking would be a more productive way to address this issue than trading accusations. Hopefully cooler heads can prevail.
Interesting dispute over the military exercise at Camp Pendleton. Seems Governor Newsom was quick to criticize, but the administration has pushed back on his claims. Curious to see how this plays out.
Agreed, this appears to be a political back-and-forth rather than a substantive debate over the military event. It’s important to get the facts straight on these types of issues.
This appears to be a classic case of political posturing. Both sides should focus on the facts and work together to ensure the military exercise runs smoothly and safely. Finger-pointing won’t help anyone in the long run.
Exactly. Maintaining open lines of communication and finding common ground is key in these situations. Hopefully, they can move past the political rhetoric and find a mutually agreeable solution.
As a resident of California, I’m curious to learn more about the details of this military exercise and its potential impact on local infrastructure. The governor’s concerns, if valid, deserve a thoughtful response from the administration.
Agreed. Transparency and open communication between state and federal authorities would go a long way in resolving this dispute and addressing any legitimate public concerns.
While I appreciate the governor’s desire to advocate for his constituents, the tone of his comments seems more focused on political grandstanding than solving the issue at hand. A more collaborative approach may be more productive.
You make a fair point. Engaging in constructive dialogue, rather than trading barbs, would likely lead to a better outcome for all involved, including the local community.
The governor’s comments about a ‘vanity parade’ seem a bit hyperbolic. These training exercises are important for maintaining military readiness. Hopefully the political posturing doesn’t distract from the real purpose.
Valid point. Politicizing routine military activities is counterproductive. Both sides should focus on ensuring the event runs smoothly and serves its intended purpose.