WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has pressed U.S. Navy officials to fire 2,000 pounds of live ammunition instead of dummy explosives during an elaborate military demonstration for the Navy. 250th anniversary the celebration President Donald Trump Two people familiar with the event’s planning told The Associated Press.
White House officials insisted to Navy planners that Trump needed to see an “explosion” during the operation, not just a “big splash,” one of the people familiar with the planning said. October 5th demo.
Sailors look at the videoboard as they do during the George H.W. Bush seapower demonstration before President Donald Trump speaks during the U.S. Navy 250th Anniversary Celebration aboard the USS Harry S. Truman at Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Navy’s original plan, dubbed the Sea Titans Presidential Review, called for military personnel to use dummies rather than live ammunition, a third person familiar with the Navy’s plans said.
The person, who like the others was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not comment on why the Navy decided to switch to live bombs.
The White House said no switch had taken place. “As is common in training exercises, organizers had always planned to use live ammunition,” Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement.
The episode is the latest example of how the Trump administration is aligning the military to the president’s wishes in ways large and small. For example, inviting generals from all over the world to Washington for a day of speeches. Deadly attack on suspected drug smuggling vessel In the Caribbean.
The Navy and other military branches typically use dummy bombs, or inert bombs, for training and demonstration purposes. Dummy bombs are cheaper than live ammunition because they do not contain expensive explosives, fuses, or other components. It is also highly safe.
But military officials often argue that using live ammunition at events like the 250th anniversary also serves a training purpose, and that the weapons would be used up at a later date anyway. The Navy declined to comment.
The switch required Navy officials to change detailed plans for the military demonstration in Norfolk to ensure safety protocols were followed, according to three people familiar with the plan.
The White House went ahead with the event despite the circumstances. us government shutdownwhich resulted in non-essential federal employees being sent home without pay and the operation of many non-essential government services being curtailed.
Live ammunition was also used during the Marine Corps celebration.
The administration has confirmed that the Navy has decided to use live ammunition instead of dummy bombs at the Norfolk Naval Base event. facing intense scrutiny The Oct. 18 live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton was caused by a live ammunition misfire. Debris strewn across Interstate 5 in Southern California.
Debris struck two California Highway Patrol vehicles, but no one was injured. Camp Pendleton events 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps attended Vice President JD Vance and the Secretary of Defense pete hegseth.
last week, 27 members of California’s Congressional Delegation and two state senators. sent a letter Hegseth asked who made the decision to fire live ammunition on a busy highway and how authorities plan for safety risks.
governor of california gavin newsomeDemocrats say they will. Comparatively consider the administration in the White House in 2028 Criticize this decision after next year’s midterm elections. part of the road was closed It connected San Diego and Los Angeles for hours during the Marine Showcase on October 18th. The White House criticized the highway closure and said the Marine Corps said there were no safety concerns.
Trump is a fan of military hyperbole
Mr. Trump has not been shy about his penchant for glitz and glamor praising military might.
In his second term, he pushed the U.S. government to hold large-scale parades and demonstrations. Inspired by the Bastille Day parade He studied abroad in France at the beginning of his first term. He was the guest of honor at a 2017 event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States’ participation in World War I.
At President Trump’s request, the Army included tanks in a June parade in the nation’s capital commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Despite concerns from city officials That heavy vehicles would cause damage to city streets. And he seemed to be enjoying the huge thing. military welcome He received it last month while in office. Second British state visit.
At the Navy Gala in Norfolk this month, Trump and his wife Melania watched a military demonstration from the deck of an aircraft carrier, before Trump delivered a speech criticizing his political opponents and attacking Democratic lawmakers.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch a Navy seapower demonstration aboard the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush as part of the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebrations in the Atlantic Ocean off Norfolk, Virginia, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
At sea, the Navy had seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers firing a variety of guns, including large 5-inch guns. Four destroyers also fired the Navy’s Standard Missile-2 (SM-2). Each missile costs about $2 million.
Meanwhile, aircraft from the USS Truman Air Wing fired missiles and general purpose bombs, and conducted strafing operations with Gatling guns. A Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter also fired Hydra rockets and artillery.
Trump then spoke on a pier between two towering Navy ships, an aircraft carrier and an amphibious assault ship. The aircraft carrier displayed a Navy fighter jet with the words “President Donald J. Trump ’45-47′” printed on the fuselage just below the cockpit window.
President Donald Trump meets with the USS Harry S. Truman at the 250th Anniversary Marina de Estados and delivers a speech at Naval Base Norfolk, Virginia, October 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Herber)
A Navy spokesperson told The Associated Press shortly after the event that sailors placed the president’s name on the visiting aircraft, “which is customary for this type of visit.”
In addition to live bomb demonstrations, a Navy destroyer fired missiles and artillery shells into the Atlantic Ocean, Navy SEALs descended from helicopters and fighter jets were launched from ships.
The transition to live ammunition also required a wider spread of guided missile destroyers in the waters off Norfolk for military demonstrations.
