By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the federal government will step in to "protect" the Potomac River following the collapse of a major sewer pipe in the Washington, D.C., region, and accused local officials of mismanaging waste management systems.
"I am directing Federal Authorities to immediately provide all necessary Management, Direction, and Coordination to protect the Potomac, the Water Supply in the Capital Region, and our treasured National
Resources in our Nation's Capital City," Trump, who has attempted to assert federal control over cities and states governed by Democrats, said on social media.
On January 19, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed, causing an overflow of more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River.
The University of Maryland has called it one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history and its researchers have detected high levels of fecal-related bacteria and disease-causing pathogens in the river, raising urgent public health concerns and underscoring the risks posed by aging sewer infrastructure.
"The Federal Government has no choice, but to step in," Trump said in his post, adding that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has seen significant staff cuts since Trump took office, will coordinate the response.
The offices of Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; editing by Scott Malone)
