TRANG.“‘This isn’t strength — it’s a show of fear.’” – Tensions ERUPT as Gavin Newsom confronts War Minister Pete Hegseth over live-fire drills above California freeway that left thousands stranded and terrified under the roar of artillery fire
California’s political and military worlds just collided in an explosive confrontation that’s shaking the nation.
Governor Gavin Newsom publicly clashed with War Minister Pete Hegseth after a shocking night of live-fire military drills above a major California freeway — a scene that left thousands of drivers stranded, terrified, and unsure if the state was under attack.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos: artillery fire thundering in the sky, car alarms blaring, families crouching behind vehicles as military helicopters roared overhead. “It felt like a warzone,” one witness said.
By sunrise, Newsom had seen enough. In a fiery press briefing, he confronted Hegseth directly, accusing federal leaders of turning fear into spectacle.
“This isn’t strength — it’s a show of fear,” Newsom declared. “California will not be a stage for political theater dressed up as defense.”
Hegseth, unflinching, defended the operation as “essential preparedness,” saying it was a “joint readiness test” meant to simulate emergency response under real-world conditions. But his words did little to cool the firestorm.
Social media exploded overnight, with hashtags like #CaliforniaUnderFire and #HegsethVsNewsom trending worldwide. Supporters hailed Newsom for standing up to what they called “reckless militarism,” while others argued that national security comes first — no matter how loud the noise.
As pressure mounts in Washington and Sacramento, one thing’s clear: this wasn’t just a drill. It was a warning — and not everyone agrees on what it means.
