Trump says Dems have to 'call him and ask politely' for help to fix Potomac River sewage spill

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump wants Washington-area officials to "act immediately" on fixing the Potomac sewage spill. He is offering the federal government's assistance if they ask for it "politely."

The commander in chief on Tuesday ramped up his feud with Democratic leaders in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, over a massive sewage spill that has dumped more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River.

Trump wants Dems to 'ask' for his help 'politely'

The trouble began in January when a pipe collapsed on the Potomac Interceptor sewage line alongside the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland, just outside the District. The damaged pipe is part of infrastructure managed by DC Water, the independent utility serving the capital region.

On Tuesday, Trump demanded that Democratic leaders formally ask for his help.

“The two Governors and the Mayor of DC must act, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to Maryland Gov Wes Moore, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “If they can’t do the job, they have to call me and ask, politely, to get it fixed. The Federal Government is not at all involved with what has taken place, but we can fix it.”

“With all of their talk about carbon footprints and everything else, they’re allowing hundreds of tons of sewage to pour into the Mighty Potomac, making it much less mighty. ACT FAST. I am awaiting your call,” he said.

The post appeared to walk back his Monday declaration that his administration would be taking over the recovery effort. A day earlier, Trump singled out Moore and called the spill a “result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland.”

Maryland fires back

Wes Moore didn’t let it slide.

In a post on X, the governor said the spill is “basically contained” and urged the White House to focus instead on emergency funding to help Maryland recover from flooding last year.

His spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, argued that the federal government and not Maryland bears responsibility for the Potomac Interceptor.

“Since the last century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor, which is the origin of the sewage leak,” Moussa said in a statement. “Apparently, the Trump administration hadn’t gotten the memo that they’re actually supposed to be in charge here. Where the president has failed to act, Maryland has played its part to protect residents, protect drinking water, and ensure accountability.”

Moore’s office also noted that because the Potomac Interceptor is owned and operated by DC Water, it is federally regulated infrastructure overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Still, the governor's office signaled he’s open to cooperation.

“If the federal government is just now showing up to take action, we will work collaboratively — as we always do — to be responsive and keep the public informed about the federal government’s plan to remediate the damage,” Moussa said. “The Potomac isn’t a talking point, and the people of the region deserve serious leadership that meets the moment.”

White House doubles down

The White House, however, is not backing off.

“President Trump will not allow the failures of local and state Democrats to diminish the quality of life for millions of Americans,” spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to CNBC. “In line with the President’s promise to make Washington, D.C. safe and beautiful, President Trump may be forced to step in and fix this disaster created by Democrats, whose gross mismanagement has allowed millions of gallons of raw sewage to be dumped into the Potomac River.”

An unnamed White House official added that Maryland is responsible for water quality standards within its borders and for enforcing regulations requiring “sewage system operators to report, monitor and mitigate unauthorized discharges that affect surface waters of the state.” 

Meanwhile, DC Water says the overflow was stopped in late January. Sewage is now being bypassed around the broken pipe, and officials say drinking water in Washington has not been affected. Still, the District’s Department of Energy and Environment has warned residents to avoid the river, which supplies drinking water to DC and is a popular spot for kayaking and other recreation.

For its part, the EPA says it’s ready but waiting. “At no point has DC Water or the state of Maryland requested EPA to take over their responsibilities, and EPA has continued to offer its full support to state and local leaders from the onset. We are always ready to step in and assist with our exceptional team,” the agency’s press office said in a statement to CNBC.

“The Potomac Interceptor overflow is a sewage crisis of historic proportion. Never should any American family, community, or waterway ever have to experience this level of extensive environmental damage,” the press office said.