By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the federal government will step in to protect the Potomac River following the collapse of a major sewer pipe in the Washington, D.C., region last month.
“I am directing Federal Authorities to immediately provide all necessary Management, Direction, and Coordination to protect the Potomac, the Water Supply in the Capital Region, and our treasured National Resources in our Nation’s Capital City,” Trump, who has attempted to assert federal control over cities and states governed by Democrats, said in a social media post.
A sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed on January 19, causing an overflow of more than 200 million gallons (757 million liters) of wastewater into the Potomac River.
The University of Maryland has called it one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history and its researchers have detected high levels of fecal-related bacteria and disease-causing pathogens in the river, raising urgent public health concerns and underscoring the risks posed by aging sewer infrastructure.
Trump accused local officials of mismanaging waste management systems.
PRESIDENT SAYS FEMA WILL STEP IN
Trump said the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has seen significant staff cuts since he took office for a second time in early 2025, will coordinate the response.
The office of Maryland Governor Wes Moore did not respond to a request for comment.
The office of Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said it had no comment on Trump’s post but pointed to a page on the local government’s website that noted drinking water in the area was safe and not impacted by the sewage release. The website said the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is currently working on measures to contain the spill and repair the pipeline.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has attempted to assert control over Democratic-led areas, including the nation’s capital, through the use of National Guard troops, armed immigration agents and threats to cut federal funding.
More than 2,000 National Guard soldiers have been in Washington since Trump’s initial deployment in August.
Trump says his actions are aimed at combating crime and cracking down on illegal immigration. Democrats and rights advocates say these efforts have targeted political opponents and amount to federal overreach.
Climate advocates have criticized Trump’s cuts to domestic climate regulations and the U.S. withdrawal from global environmental accords.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; editing by Scott Malone and Paul Simao)
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