Calif. Highway Patrol: Metal Shrapnel Hit I-5 Vehicle During Marine Demo

Calif. Highway Patrol: Metal Shrapnel Hit I-5 Vehicle During Marine Demo
Above: U.S. Navy LCACs unload equipment onto the beach during the Marines 250 event at Camp Pendleton on Oct. 18, 2025. Image copyright: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

The Trump administration recklessly endangered lives for a political stunt, ignoring Governor Newsom's safety warnings about firing artillery over I-5. When shrapnel rained down and hit vehicles during the Marine demonstration, it proved Newsom was right to close the freeway. This dangerous showboating could have killed someone.

Republican narrative

The Marine Corps demonstration followed rigorous safety protocols with deliberate redundancy layers to protect citizens during this historic anniversary celebration. No injuries occurred despite a minor equipment malfunction that left only a small dent, proving the safety measures worked exactly as designed.

Metaculus Prediction



The Controversies




© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0