Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency are being deployed to assist with the cleanup of a massive sewage spill into the Potomac River, as political tensions escalate over federal funding and responsibility.
President Donald Trump approved Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for federal disaster assistance after a sewer line collapse sent an estimated 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River through Jan. 24, KRCR reported.
Bowser declared a local public emergency and requested federal support in a 15-day order, directing city officials to coordinate mutual aid agreements with federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
She also asked the president to declare a major disaster and to authorize 100 percent federal reimbursement for costs incurred by the District and DC Water.
In a statement posted on social media, Noem said Trump directed FEMA and the EPA to provide emergency assistance to the District.
“Today, President Trump directed FEMA and EPA to provide emergency assistance to the District of Columbia as they work to protect people from the effects of the recent spill in the Potomac,” Noem wrote.
She said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and DHS would coordinate closely to ensure federal support.
According to Noem, FEMA is deploying a team to assist with incident management and coordinate federal resources alongside local officials.
The EPA will lead the federal response, while DHS and FEMA provide additional support to ensure cleanup efforts are swift and effective.
Today, @POTUS Trump directed @FEMA and @EPA to provide emergency assistance to the District of Columbia as they work to protect people from the effects of the recent spill in the Potomac. @EPALeeZeldin and I will stay in close contact to ensure coordinated federal support to the…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 21, 2026
Noem also criticized Democrats for what she described as a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, stating that FEMA employees are currently operating without funding.
“Even as Democrat politicians shut us down and these men and women go without pay, DHS is committed to providing much needed aid to the Americans impacted by this disaster,” Noem said. “We will not let our citizens suffer without help.”
FEMA confirmed that federal assistance was available following the Jan. 19 sewage spill.
In a press release, the agency said the president’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate hardship and protect public health and safety.
FEMA said it is authorized to identify and mobilize equipment and resources necessary to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
Under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, federal funding typically covers 75 percent of eligible costs.
The administration named Mark K. O’Hanlon as the federal coordinating officer for the affected region.
DC Water owns and operates the Potomac Interceptor, the sewer line that ruptured in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The utility company erected a temporary bypass pipeline to prevent further contamination while permanent repairs are underway.
Repairs are expected to take four to six weeks.
Trump has criticized local officials in D.C. and Maryland over the incident, noting that the collapsed portion of the interceptor is located in Montgomery County.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has pushed back on the administration’s claims.
A spokesperson for Moore said the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor since the last century and accused the Trump administration of failing to act promptly.
“The President has his facts wrong — again,” the spokesperson said. “For the last four weeks, the Trump Administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people’s health at risk.”
The spokesperson also criticized the Environmental Protection Agency for not participating in a legislative hearing related to the cleanup.
Moore has pressed the administration for FEMA funding as cleanup and repair efforts continue.
Bowser sought to reassure residents that the sewage spill did not impact the District’s drinking water supply.
Federal and local officials continue to monitor the situation as response efforts move forward.
