US Marines were set to storm the beaches of California in a 250th anniversary demonstration of the service branch’s military might for Vice President JD Vance.
Vance is scheduled to deliver a speech to the troops on Saturday, months after the veep and President Trump marked the 250th anniversary of the Army during a military parade in Washington, DC — complete with heavy armored vehicles.
First, he’ll see a live-fire “amphibious assault demonstration” at Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach, according to the White House.
But the planned demonstration, set to take place near the I-5 freeway, set off its own war of words between Vance’s office and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Camp Pendleton said in a statement that “all training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols.”
The event would include Navy and Marine operators across air, land and sea, officials said.
But Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, wasn’t so keen to celebrate. The Democrat called the festivities an “absurd show of force.”
“The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety,” Newsom whined in a statement.
“Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous. Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office he holds.”
Vance’s office shot back that there was no need to close the highway.
“Governor Newsom is spreading Fake News to Californians to fearmonger and score cheap political points,” said spokeswoman Taylor Van Kirk.
“Vice President Vance is eager to be in California on Saturday celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Corps alongside United States Marines who, despite the Democrats’ shutdown, will continue to receive pay thanks to President Trump’s hard work.”
Several military bigwigs were set to attend, at a time when the US military has been building up forces around Venezuela and carrying out strikes on a succession of alleged drug boats. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was also set to join, as was Navy Secretary John Phelan and Marine Commandant Eric M. Smith.
Vance flew to San Diego Friday night to participate. It’s an anniversary of special significance for the 41-year-old vice president. He enlisted in the service after graduating high school in Ohio, serving four years in the Marines — including a stint in Iraq.
Vance traveled with second lady Usha Vance, a San Diego native, and brought along their three kids on the flight to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
He wrote in his book “Hillbilly Elegy” about how “the Marine Corps taught me how to live like an adult.”
“In the Marines, my boss didn’t just make sure I did a good job, he made sure I kept my room clean, kept my hair cut, and ironed my uniforms,” he said, adding the Marines “changed the expectations that I had for myself.”
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