US EditionTrump directs federal authorities to protect Potomac
The federal government will coordinate cleanup after over 200 million gallons of wastewater spilled into the Potomac River, raising health concerns from University of Maryland researchers.
- On Monday, President Donald Trump ordered federal intervention to protect the Potomac after a January 19, 2026 sewer line collapse released more than 200 million gallons of wastewater.
- DC Water is working to contain the spill and repair the collapsed sewer pipeline after University of Maryland researchers called it one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history, raising urgent public health concerns.
- More than 2,000 National Guard soldiers have been in Washington since Trump's initial deployment in August, while Trump accused local officials of mismanaging waste systems and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said drinking water remains safe.
- Democrats and rights advocates criticized the move as federal overreach, saying it targets Democratic-led areas, while Trump said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will coordinate despite staff cuts.
- This episode could prompt renewed scrutiny of aging sewer infrastructure as University of Maryland researchers detected pathogens, highlighting risks exposed by the January 19 collapse and federal control over Democratic-led jurisdictions.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Trump demands to be asked 'politely' before giving federal aid for major sewage spill
As officials from Washington, D.C. scramble to contain the ongoing wastewater spill into the Potomac River – the largest in U.S. history – President Donald Trump took to social media Tuesday to offer federal assistance — but only if he's asked "politely."“Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., wh...
Trump Will Fix Potomac Sewage Spill If Asked 'Politely'
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the federal government can “fix” the giant sewage spill that has dropped 300 gallons of waste into the Potomac River — if the Democratic leaders from Washington, D.C., and the surrounding states call the president and ask him “politely.” The president shared his terms in a post on Truth Social. “Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., who are responsible for the massive sewage spill…
Trump orders to intervene in the Potomac River after the largest discharge of waste water in the US, an incident that has been active for almost a month and is already considered the most serious of this kind in the history of the country. The overflow of nearly 920 million liters has contaminated the main river course that crosses Washington, D.C. The president directly accused local and state democratic authorities of incompetence. And he acti…
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