Trump Orders Federal Intervention in Potomac Sewage Crisis
President Donald Trump has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will take charge of mitigating a severe sewage spill contaminating the Potomac River, directly blaming Democratic leadership in Maryland for what he termed a slow and incompetent response. The declaration came on Monday, even as a partial government shutdown means FEMA employees will be working without pay during a cleanup operation that could last up to a year.
Political Blame and Federal Takeover
In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted that he could not allow "incompetent Local 'Leadership'" to turn the river, which flows through the heart of Washington, D.C., into a "disaster zone." He specifically pointed the finger at Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore, claiming the federal government had no choice but to step in. "FEMA, which is currently being defunded by the Democrats, will play a key role in coordinating the response," Trump added, highlighting a stark contradiction with his previous stance.
This move marks a significant reversal for Trump, who has repeatedly advocated for states and localities to take direct ownership of disaster response, with the federal government merely providing financial support. The President's announcement follows a collapse last month along the Potomac Interceptor sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, which released approximately 300 gallons of raw wastewater into the river, creating what Trump described as a "massive ecological disaster" and one of the largest raw sewage spills in U.S. history.
Shutdown Fallout and Democratic Pushback
The partial government shutdown, stemming from Democratic refusals to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid clashes over immigration operations, has left FEMA and other DHS agencies without funding. Essential personnel, including about 90 percent of DHS employees from FEMA, TSA, the Coast Guard, and Border Patrol, are required to work without pay during this lapse. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed outrage on social media, stating, "Democrats in Congress have shut down FEMA funding—leaving our hardworking employees to work without pay—yet FEMA is now stepping in to coordinate cleanup." She condemned the situation as "unbelievable hypocrisy," accusing Democrats of withholding paychecks from those tasked with cleaning up a "Democrat-created disaster."
However, Governor Moore's office pushed back strongly against Trump's claims. Spokesperson Ammar Moussa asserted that Trump had "his facts wrong—again," noting that the source of the spill in the Potomac Interceptor pipe has long been under federal oversight with DC Water and related entities. "Apparently the Trump administration hadn't gotten the memo that they're actually supposed to be in charge here," Moussa retorted. Moore's office did not immediately respond to further requests for comment.
Historical Context and Ongoing Confusion
This incident adds to the confusion surrounding Trump's and Noem's positions on FEMA. In January 2025, shortly after retaking office, Trump toured Hurricane Helene damage in North Carolina and declared, "FEMA's turned out to be a disaster." He suggested at the time that FEMA should be eliminated, with funds instead directed to states for disaster response. Now, with Democrats effectively defunding the agency through the shutdown, Trump and Noem are expressing anger over the very outcome they previously advocated for, leading to perceptions of political maneuvering.
As the cleanup begins, the Potomac River spill continues to pose significant environmental and public health risks, with estimates suggesting the mitigation efforts could span nine months to a year. The situation underscores deep partisan divides over disaster management, federal authority, and the ongoing impacts of the government shutdown on critical agencies.
