President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry by slashing regulations, expediting leases for coal mining, and taking aim at state-led climate laws on Tuesday.

The Details: The orders seek to “end the government bias against coal” and “turbo charge coal mining in America” by slashing regulations that target coal, rapidly expediting leases for coal mining on federal lands, and streamlining the permitting process. Additionally, Trump instructed the Department of Justice to stop the enforcement of state climate laws that his administration considers unconstitutional or unenforceable.

For Context: The Biden administration put restrictions on the coal industry due to environmental concerns. The industry has been greatly affected by the increased push towards clean energy. The Trump administration seeks to restore the coal industry, arguing that coal is abundant, cost-effective, and essential for meeting the rise in electricity demand. In 2024, renewables provided a record 32% of global electricity.

How The Media Covered It: The Guardian (Left bias) focused on the impact of Trump's actions on state-led climate accountability efforts, highlighting reactions from environmental activists who called the order an “illegal, disgusting attempt to force everyday people to pay for the rising toll of climate disasters.” The Daily Wire (Right) said, “Trump blasted leftist environmental policies accepted by the Biden administration that 'killed jobs' and sent prices 'soaring.'” It did not note any opposition to his order.

Revised by the AllSides staff (of humans) after a first draft from our custom AI. Learn more. Support our mission.