Overview
- Twenty-nine California Democrats asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to answer 13 questions by Oct. 29 on planning, authorization, safety protocols and who pays for damages.
- The Marine Corps opened an investigation after a 155mm round detonated midair during Saturday’s demonstration, with shrapnel striking a CHP cruiser and a motorcycle and prompting cancellation of the remaining display.
- CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado called the situation unusual and concerning, noting it is highly uncommon for live fire or explosives to be used over an active freeway.
- A Thursday report said roughly 30 rounds were fired over Interstate 5 and a commuter rail line during a Friday rehearsal without public notification, with state officials disputing they were told live fire would be used.
- Saturday’s event marked the Corps’ 250th anniversary, included Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Hegseth, and followed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close a 17‑mile stretch of I‑5 over safety concerns, drawing political back‑and‑forth with federal and local figures.