Indiana Coal Truck Driver Speaks at White House as Trump Signs Coal Order

Kayla Blackford of Dugger, Indiana addressed the crowd at the signing ceremony for the president's executive action aimed at supporting the coal industry.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A coal truck driver from southern Indiana named Kayla Blackford was recognized at the White House as President Donald Trump signed an executive order focused on supporting the coal industry. Blackford, who works at the Bear Run Mine, spoke at the event and expressed pride in her job, which she said supports her family, her community, and helps keep electricity affordable across the country.

Why it matters

The executive order is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at bolstering the coal industry, which has faced declining demand and plant closures in recent years due to competition from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources. The move is seen as an effort to appeal to Trump's political base in coal-producing regions.

The details

Trump's executive order directs the Department of Defense to enter agreements to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants for military operations, with the goal of strengthening the reliability of the nation's power grid. The order also allocates $175 million in funding for upgrades at six coal plants in several states. In her remarks, Blackford emphasized the importance of coal in meeting the country's growing electricity needs.

  • On February 12, 2026, President Trump signed the executive order focused on supporting the coal industry.
  • In April 2025, Trump had signed a separate executive order calling for expanded coal mining and use nationwide.

The players

Kayla Blackford

A coal truck driver from Dugger, Indiana who works at the Bear Run Mine and spoke at the White House event where Trump signed the executive order.

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed the executive order aimed at supporting the coal industry.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you, Mr. President. As he said, my name is Kayla Blackford and I am so proud and honored to be here today representing Peabody and coal miners across this country. My husband and I both work at Bear Run Mine in Southern Indiana. I drive a haul truck and I train others on this large piece of equipment.”

— Kayla Blackford, Coal Truck Driver (vincennespbs.org)

“My job supports my family, it supports our community, and it keeps the lights on and electricity affordable, not just in Indiana, but across the country. As demand increases and our lives become increasingly electrified, America needs to generate more electricity, not less.”

— Kayla Blackford, Coal Truck Driver (vincennespbs.org)

What’s next

The Department of Defense is expected to begin negotiating agreements with coal-fired power plants in the coming months to purchase electricity for military operations, as directed by the executive order.

The takeaway

This executive action underscores the Trump administration's continued efforts to prop up the struggling coal industry, even as market forces and environmental concerns have led to the decline of coal power in recent years. The recognition of a coal truck driver at the White House signing ceremony highlights the administration's attempt to appeal to workers in fossil fuel industries who have been impacted by the shift away from coal.