After Razing Democrats’ Climate Policies, Trump Directs Admin To Unleash ‘Beautiful, Clean’ Coal

President Donald Trump announced Monday evening he is “authorizing” his administration to produce coal power, citing China’s “tremendous economic advantage” over the United States due to the country’s pro-coal policies.

Trump announced his intent to spur domestic coal production in a post on Truth Social. The president’s decision to increase coal production comes as the Trump administration has moved with striking speed to reverse a spate of regulations issued by former President Joe Biden to handicap fossil fuel production, including coal power.

“After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over 🇺🇸US by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants, I am authorizing my Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL,” Trump wrote.

It is not clear what effect the president’s announcement will have on U.S. energy policy or coal production, which accounts for roughly 16% of power generation in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Trump’s directive was immediately praised by GOP lawmakers who represent coal-producing states and have seen communities hollowed out due to the coal industry’s decline.

“Couldn’t agree more, @POTUS!” Republican West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito wrote