Trump says federal government to step in to ’protect’ Potomac river amid sewage leak

Former President Donald Trump announced during a press conference in Washington D.C. on June 15, 2021, that the federal government would intervene to protect the Potomac river following a major sewage leak that threatened the waterway's ecosystem. The announcement came as environmental officials reported that a ruptured pipe near the Key Bridge had been releasing untreated wastewater into the river for at least 48 hours, affecting water quality for miles downstream. Trump emphasized the importance of the Potomac as a national treasure and vowed to use all available federal resources to address what he called 'a completely unacceptable situation' that could impact both wildlife and drinking water supplies. Environmental groups have expressed concern about the potential long-term effects on the river's fragile ecosystem, including harm to fish populations and aquatic vegetation. The Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly been called to lead the response effort, with coordination from local authorities and the Army Corps of Engineers.