Overview
- Trump said on Truth Social he is directing federal authorities, naming FEMA, to coordinate the response to the Potomac River sewage spill and criticized local Democratic leaders, including Gov. Wes Moore.
- Reporters and officials noted the interceptor is maintained by DC Water along National Park Service land, and federal agencies had already been working with the utility before Trump’s post.
- DC Water reported no overflows in the past 24 hours and said a steel bulkhead to isolate the broken section is expected late next week, with permanent repairs projected to take months, potentially up to nine.
- Public-health measures remain in effect, including Maryland’s emergency shellfish closure downstream to the Harry Nice Bridge and advisories to avoid contact with the river as pathogen levels are monitored.
- Officials estimate hundreds of millions of gallons were released, described by advocates as among the largest U.S. sewage spills, as FEMA’s role is complicated by a partial shutdown affecting employee pay.