A major California freeway was shut down Saturday after the U.S. Marines conducted a live-fire event, drawing widespread attention and criticism. The 5 Freeway, a critical transportation route in Southern California, closed between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Time, remaining inaccessible for approximately four hours before partial reopenings.

The closure disrupted traffic for around 80,000 daily drivers traversing the route connecting San Diego and Orange counties. While initial plans called for a full freeway shutdown, southbound lanes were reopened by noon. The event coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s appearance at Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County, where he delivered a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, praised the service branch during his address but avoided commenting on the freeway closure. He highlighted the Marines’ historical role in conflicts spanning from the Pacific islands to Afghanistan, emphasizing their legacy of service. “From these mountains and this water, Marines have deployed to every major fight of the last century,” he stated.

The exercise included a beach invasion demonstration by U.S. Marines, showcasing military capabilities ahead of Vance’s remarks. The vice president also criticized what he described as efforts to prioritize “diversity quotas” over military discipline, vowing to focus on “readiness and faith in one another” under the Trump administration.