Booming howitzers and roaring jets stole the show in Southern California as Vice President JD Vance honored the Marine Corps with a jaw-dropping display of strength.
On Saturday, Vance headlined a massive event at Camp Pendleton, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps with a mock amphibious assault, live-fire exercises, and sharp words for political opponents, all while a major highway shut down for safety.
Politico reported that the day began with an impressive military exercise just north of San Diego, featuring 1,300 Marines and 4,000 sailors storming the beach via parachute, underwater teams, and landing craft.
Aircraft and ships provided cover, while 155-millimeter howitzer rounds echoed across the coast, a spectacle so intense that California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of Interstate 5.
Newsom argued the projectiles posed a distraction to drivers, but he also took a swipe, suggesting the event was orchestrated by President Donald Trump to send a message to critics.
“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,” Newsom said. Well, Governor, if showcasing the grit of our troops is intimidation, perhaps some folks need a reminder of what real strength looks like.
Amid the thunder of the exercise, Vance, a former Marine who served in Iraq as a public affairs officer, took the stage alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to salute the troops’ dedication.
Both leaders used the moment to critique past policies, arguing that diversity initiatives pushed by previous administrations have undermined military readiness.
“When officials try to shift focus, to mandating diversity quotas, where they try to inject partisan politics into the American armed forces, they impede the Marine Corps’ ability to do its best work,” Vance declared. If that’s not a call to keep our forces focused on mission over ideology, what is?
Vance couldn’t resist a dig at congressional Democrats, pointing out their role in a government shutdown that threatens troop paychecks.
“I’ve got to get just a little political because congressional Democrats seem to want to keep the government shut down even though it would mean that a lot of you would not get your paycheck,” Vance noted. It’s a fair jab—why should our service members bear the brunt of partisan gridlock?
Thankfully, Vance reassured the crowd that President Trump has stepped in to ensure temporary pay for the troops during this budget mess.
Back to the logistics, the Interstate 5 shutdown stirred its own controversy, with commuters caught in gridlock while the military flexed its muscle.
Newsom’s safety concerns about stray shells are valid enough, but tying the event to political posturing feels like a stretch when the Marine Corps is simply marking a historic milestone.
All in all, the Camp Pendleton showcase was a powerful reminder of what our armed forces stand for—unity, discipline, and raw capability—not to mention a nudge to keep politics out of the barracks. Let’s hope the focus stays on honoring these warriors, not scoring points in Sacramento or D.C.