President Trump signs executive orders to boost the coal industry, slams Biden-era policies and 'Green New Scam'

Watch President Trump's full speech and signing of the executive order in the player above.

President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Thursday aimed at revitalizing the U.S. coal industry, declaring a “national energy emergency” and rolling back a slate of Biden-era environmental regulations. Surrounded by Republican lawmakers, state officials, and industry leaders, Trump framed the orders as cornerstones of his broader energy policy, which he says prioritizes reliability, security, and American jobs.

“Today, we’re ending the war on coal and putting our miners back to work,” Trump said during remarks at the signing event. “We’re not going to let radical green ideology destroy the livelihoods of hardworking American patriots.”

Key Measures in the Executive Orders

The executive orders include four directives:

1. Ending Federal Restrictions on Coal Development: It terminates the leasing moratorium on new coal projects on federal land and directs agencies to fast-track approvals for mining operations.
2. Defending the Coal Industry from Discrimination: The order instructs all federal departments and agencies to eliminate “discriminatory” policies against coal and fossil fuels.
3. Strengthening Energy Grid Reliability: Trump said the order ensures that grid policies favor reliable energy sources, singling out coal as “the most durable and secure form of energy.”
4. Investigating State-Level Climate Policies: The Department of Justice is instructed to probe state actions that may “illegally or unconstitutionally” discriminate against coal and other fossil fuels.

“Clean, Beautiful Coal”

Trump touted coal as the “most reliable, durable, and secure form of energy,” even claiming that “you could drop a bomb on it and use it the next day.” He promised future investments in technology to make coal cleaner and more efficient and emphasized his belief that American coal reserves are more valuable than “all the gold in Fort Knox.”

The executive orders also invoke the Defense Production Act to accelerate coal production, a move Trump said would protect U.S. energy independence and national security.

Praise and Political Fire

During the announcement, Trump was flanked by notable Republicans, including Sens John Barrasso (R-WY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. He praised EPA leadership, claiming they would respond quickly to emergencies such as nuclear disasters.

Trump used the event to criticize President Biden for what he called “job-killing” climate policies, including the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement—dubbed by Trump as the “green new scam.”

“We terminated the green new scam. It was written by a young congresswoman who never studied energy policy,” Trump said.

National and Global Implications

In addition to domestic policy changes, Trump noted that the U.S. is collecting "$2 billion every day" from tariffs and hinted that his administration’s energy policies would bolster the steel industry and manufacturing base by providing stable and affordable energy.

He claimed the new order would prevent scenarios like the California blackouts, which he blamed on over-reliance on renewable energy. “We are going to reawaken our country from this bizarre energy policy nightmare,” he declared.

Immigration and Border Comments

Trump briefly shifted focus to immigration, alleging that “insane asylums and prisons” in foreign countries were emptied to send illegal immigrants to the U.S. He praised El Salvador’s cooperation on immigration enforcement but criticized “out of control” judges working to bring back deported individuals.

Looking Ahead

Trump’s orders regarding energy have drawn swift reaction from environmental groups and political opponents, who argue the measures roll back critical protections and ignore climate science. Trump, however, says the moves restore balance and bolster national energy independence.

The executive orders mark Trump’s latest effort to distinguish his energy platform ahead of the 2024 election, where energy policy is expected to be a key dividing line between the major parties.

“This is about American workers, American energy, and American strength,” Trump concluded. “And today, coal is back.”