Trump directs FEMA to get involved in recovery operation of sewage spill into Potomac River

President Donald Trump has responded on Truth Social to a wastewater spill into the Potomac River that began on January 19. He blames local and state officials in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and is directing federal authorities to get involved in the recovery efforts. 

“There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A sewer line breach in Maryland has caused millions of gallons of raw sewage to be dumped directly into the Potomac River, a result of incompetent Local and State Management of Essential Waste Management Systems.”

He writes that “The Federal Government has no choice, but to step in. FEMA, which is currently being defunded by the Democrats, will play a key role in coordinating the response. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

This message intersected with Trump’s ongoing verbal feud with Governor Moore, and the inability to reach an agreement that would provide the necessary funding for FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. While funding is available for projects, it is not allowed to be paid as salaries to FEMA employees, who will have to wait to get paid until after Congress reaches an agreement and ends that part of the government shutdown.