Coal Miner Criticizes Trump Administration for Pausing Black Lung Safety Rule
Veteran coal miner William McCool criticizes Trump administration’s decision to pause safety rule protecting workers from deadly black lung disease after decades-long fight.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — A veteran coal miner with four decades of underground experience is speaking out against the Trump administration’s decision to indefinitely pause a safety rule designed to protect miners from black lung disease, calling the move a betrayal of workers who fought for years to secure the protection.
William McCool, who worked in coal mines from 1973 to 2012, wrote in an opinion piece published Saturday that he watched black lung disease kill his grandfather and father before developing the condition himself in 2000. McCool criticized both coal operators and government officials for failing to address the disease that he says is affecting thousands in his community.
“Last month, I attended the funeral of a 48-year-old miner who had black lung,” McCool wrote. “Black lung is getting younger miners sicker than I have ever seen. Thousands in my community have it. A lot of them are already gone, and their families are left behind, struggling, unable to pay the bills.”
Safety Rule Put on Hold
The Trump administration announced last week it was indefinitely pausing implementation of a new safeguard that would have limited silica dust exposure, a primary cause of black lung disease in miners. The rule, which miners fought for years to secure, was finally established in 2024.
According to McCool, the Trump administration had already negotiated with mining companies to weaken the rule before deciding to pause its implementation entirely. The former miner expressed frustration that politicians promise to bring back coal while shelving regulations that could save miners’ lives.
“They aren’t talking about black lung that’s killing miners,” McCool wrote. “Instead, they’re giving tax dollars to the coal companies.”
Personal Impact of Black Lung Disease
McCool described black lung disease as a condition that “takes everything,” detailing how it has devastated his family across generations. Despite being diagnosed with the disease in 2000 and told he could work only a few more years, McCool continued mining for an additional 12 years, often working 12-14 hour days including weekends.
The former miner worked alongside his father for 17 years of his career and described his colleagues as “some of the best you could ever have.” He noted that most miners love their jobs, saying he misses the work to this day despite the health consequences.
“I have now watched too many of my friends and neighbors die without anyone in power doing anything about it,” McCool wrote. “I’m very disappointed in the coal operators and in the government because they have not tried to do more. In fact, they’re now going in the opposite direction.”
Growing Health Crisis
The pause on the silica dust regulation comes as black lung disease continues to affect mining communities across the country. McCool noted that the disease is striking younger miners more severely than he has previously witnessed, creating a growing health crisis in coal-producing regions.
The former miner’s criticism highlights tensions between the Trump administration’s promises to revive the coal industry and concerns about worker safety protections. While politicians frequently discuss bringing back coal jobs, McCool argued that meaningful support for miners requires implementing and enforcing safety regulations rather than weakening them.
The silica dust rule that has been paused was designed to reduce exposure levels that contribute to the development of black lung disease, a progressive condition that can be fatal and has no cure.
