President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing the Department of War (DoW) to work directly with coal-fired power plants on new long-term power purchasing agreements, arguing the move would ensure “more reliable power and stronger and more resilient grid power.”

“That’s why I’m also pleased to announce that in just a moment, I will sign an executive order that directs the Department of War to work directly with coal plants on the new power purchasing agreements, ensuring that we have more reliable power and stronger and more resilient grid power,” Trump said. 

“And we’re going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now, and it’s going to be less expensive and actually much more effective than what we have been using for many, many years.”

The executive order, titled “Strengthening United States National Defense with America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet,” states: “The United States must ensure that our electric grid … remains resilient and reliable, and not reliant on intermittent energy sources,” calling the grid “the foundation of our national defense as well as our economic stability.”

TRUMP ADMIN TO REPEAL OBAMA-ERA GREENHOUSE GAS FINDING IN LARGE-SCALE DEREGULATION

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, left; House Speaker Mike Johnson; and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin watch as President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing the military to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants during a “Champion of Coal” event Wednesday at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

It adds: “It is the policy of the United States that coal is essential to our national and economic security.”

Under a section titled “Power Purchase Agreements with Federal Installations,” the order states that the Secretary of War, “in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall seek to procure power from the United States coal generation fleet by approving long-term Power Purchase Agreements … with coal-fired energy production facilities to serve DOW installations or other mission-critical facilities.”

Speaking at the White House and flanked by members of his cabinet, coal workers and GOP lawmakers, Trump framed coal as vital to defense and industrial production.

BIDEN’S GREEN ENERGY FIASCO, NOT TRUMP’S REFORMS, IS JACKING UP YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

President Donald Trump speaks during a “Champion of Coal” event in the East Room of the White House Wednesday, in Washington, D.C. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Coal is also critical to our national security,” he said. “Vital to everything from steel production to shipbuilding and artificial intelligence.”

He also pointed to winter storms as evidence of coal’s reliability.

“More than 200 million Americans across 35 states were impacted by the storm, and the only reason most were able to take a hot shower was thanks to the power provided by the most reliable, dependable of, and really dependable form of energy that we have,” Trump said. “And that’s clean, beautiful coal.”

Trump contrasted his approach with the prior administration.

“On day one of this administration, I ended the war on coal,” Trump said. “We terminated the green new scam and we withdrew from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord.”

He also criticized wind energy.

TRUMP TO HOST ‘CLEAN BEAUTIFUL COAL’ EVENT, CALLS IT AMERICA’S MOST RELIABLE ENERGY

President Donald Trump speaks during a “Champion of Coal” event, where he ordered the Pentagon to purchase electricity from plants and announced millions of dollars to upgrade existing sites. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“I’m not a big fan of those crazy windmills that are all made in China,” Trump said. “You know, they’re made in China but not used by China.”

Trump said the Tennessee Valley Authority was “taking action to save two major coal plants,” naming the Cumberland Fossil Plant and the Kingston Fossil Plant.

“These two plants were slated for termination,” Trump said, “but we’re going to save over 450 jobs by keeping them going and going strong.”

Trump said he was “directing the Department of Energy to issue funds” to coal plants in several states.

“In addition, I’m directing to the Department of Energy to issue funds to coal plants in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and Kentucky to keep them online and keep those plants open,” Trump said.

On permitting, Trump said: “In one year of Trump, we’ve already approved over 70 permits for very big, very powerful mines that are going to be with us for many, many years to come.”

Trump said coal production and generation had increased during his tenure.

“Since I took office, coal production is up by nearly 4 million tons a month after falling for decades,” he said. “Coal power generation is up by nearly 15% in my first year.”

Late in the event, Peabody Energy CEO Jim Grech presented Trump with an award.

“Sir. Just to show our appreciation,” Grech said, “the trophy says the undisputed champion of beautiful, clean coal.”

Trump closed by returning to what he described as American energy dominance.

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“America is now the number one energy producer in the world,” he said. “We are by far number one.”

The Department of War did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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Today is Dashami of Krishna Paksha on 12th February 2026. General elections are going to be held in Bangladesh on Thursday. At the same time, there will be a match between India and Namibia in the T20 World Cup.

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Eleven people have been charged in Florida in connection with a marriage fraud scheme that involved the recruitment of U.S. military service members to marry Chinese citizens. 

The scheme was orchestrated by a Chinese transnational gang that recruited military members to participate in fraudulent marriages so that Chinese citizens could obtain immigration benefits and access cards for U.S. military installations, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“This investigation underscores the critical role that HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) plays in protecting our nation from transnational criminal organizations that seek to exploit our customs and immigration laws and threaten our national security,” said HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran. “Through the dedication and expertise of our agents and partners, we have successfully investigated, disrupted and dismantled a sophisticated criminal network operating across borders.”

CHINESE NATIONAL CHARGED WITH PHOTOGRAPHING US STEALTH BOMBER BASE AFTER ILLEGAL ENTRY

The national flags of the United States and China flutter at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on April 25, 2024 in Shanghai, China. Federal prosecutors allege a Chinese gang recruited U.S. military service members to marry Chinese nationals in fraudulent marriages.  (Wang Gang/VCG via Getty Images)

The sham marriages took place around the country, including in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as in New York, Connecticut and Nevada. 

To bolster claims that the marriages were genuine, the suspects took photographs of the couples to create evidence that could be presented to immigration authorities to suggest they were in loving, committed relationships.

In reality, the suspects had agreed to a payment plan whereby the U.S. citizen spouse would receive a cash payment up front for marrying the Chinese national, a second payment when legal immigration status was obtained, and a final payment after the divorce.

FORMER US NAVY SAILOR LEARNS SENTENCE FOR SPYING FOR CHINA

An aerial view of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower together in eastern Mediterranean on November 03, 2023.  (Photo by U.S.Navy Janae Chambers/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Five people were charged with marriage fraud conspiracy between March 2024 and February 2025:

• Anny Chen, 54, of New York. She is also charged with marriage fraud and bribery conspiracy.
• Kiah Holly, 29, of Maryland.
• Kin Man Cheok, 32, of China, who is also charged with bribery conspiracy between November 2024 and Feb. 14, 2025.
• Hailing Feng, 27, of New York, who is also charged with bribery conspiracy.
• Xionghu Fang, 41, of China.

Raymond Zumba, Brinio Urena, Morgan Chambers and Jacinth Bailey, former U.S. Navy service members, have all pleaded guilty to charges related to the same scheme. Their sentences are pending. 

Federal prosecutors also allege that Anny Chen, Hailing Feng and Kin Man Cheok conspired to bribe a public official. Zumba, who served in the Navy Reserve, allegedly offered to bribe an unidentified source and the source’s spouse, who worked at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in the personnel office that issues Department of War identification cards. 

Zumba allegedly asked whether the spouse would be willing to issue real, but unauthorized, ID cards for an under-the-table payment. The source reported the plan to authorities and continued to communicate with Zumba. 

A Muslim man from Malaysia secretly married an 11-year-old girl. (iStock)

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After driving from New York, Zumba arrived in Jacksonville on Feb. 13, 2025, with Anny Chen, Feng and Cheok.

He brought them to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where the source’s spouse let them into the personnel office after business hours and initiated the process for Chen and Cheok to receive ID cards. The following day, Zumba met with the source, who gave him two cards in exchange for $3,500. 

Zumba was promptly arrested, and the cards were recovered, authorities said.

Princess Sofia is speaking out publicly for the first time about her past connection to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

On Feb. 10, the 41-year-old addressed reporters before appearing at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at the Intiman Theater in Stockholm.

“I met him in a couple of social settings,” said the wife of Prince Carl Philip about Epstein, according to Sweden’s TV4 via an English translation.

PRINCE WILLIAM BREAKS ROYAL CODE TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM ‘DESPICABLE’ UNCLE ANDREW: EXPERT

Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland, arrives at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at The Intiman Theater on Feb. 10, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

“Now that I have read about the horrific crimes he subjected young women to, I’m so grateful that I’ve had nothing to do with him since those few occasions in my 20s.”

“My thoughts go out to all the victims, and I hope there is justice in this,” said the mother of four.

The Swedish royal added that she met Epstein at a social event and a film screening.

WATCH: PRINCE ANDREW, JEFFREY EPSTEIN HAD ‘MONEY AND SEX’ IN COMMON: AUTHOR

“Thank goodness it was just that,” she said.

Royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital that when a senior member of the royal family publicly addresses Epstein head-on, it’s no small thing — it’s a bold move that puts accountability and public trust front and center.

“Princess Sofia’s decision to address this directly is significant because she didn’t necessarily have to,” Matta explained.

Ahead of her appearance at the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit, Princess Sofia of Sweden broke her silence about late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

“She’s seen as a possible victim, not an intimate associate or someone who maintained contact with Epstein after his conviction. Other royals with closer Epstein ties have, so far, relied on official palace statements or chosen to stay silent,” Matta added.

“Sofia’s inclusion in the files underscores how large and enticing Epstein’s social circle was in the early 2000s, even to young women,” Matta shared. 

Princess Sofia of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Banquet 2022 at Stockholm City Hall on Dec. 10, 2022. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

“She is absolutely right to remark, ‘thank goodness’ that her ties to him did not go beyond a few brushes at public events. For that reason, this story is unlikely to be damaging to her public image in the long run. By speaking now, she’s also prevented further speculation from taking off.”

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Princess Sofia, Duchess of Varmland, during the Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit at The Intiman Theater on Feb. 10, 2026, in Stockholm. The Ctrl + Rights Youth Summit takes place annually to align with Safe Internet Day, focusing on safe internet use and digital rights for children. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

The princess broke her silence about a week and a half after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than 3 million records connected to the late financier, including his personal emails.

The latest batch included three photos of Britain’s Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground on her back. The woman is fully clothed, and her face is blacked out.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was featured in three new photos from the recent Epstein files drop. (Department of Justice)

In December, the Royal Court of Sweden acknowledged that Princess Sofia met Epstein “on a few occasions” after newly surfaced emails appeared to link the royal to the late convicted sex offender.

The Swedish Royal Court addressed a recent report about Princess Sofia of Sweden, telling Fox News Digital she met Jeffrey Epstein “on a few occasions about 20 years ago.” They stressed that the meetings took place in social settings, and she never received help from the late convicted sex offender.  (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The former model and reality TV starlet met the disgraced financier through her mentor, Swedish businesswoman Barbro Ehnbom, in 2005, according to emails published by the Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter and cited by People.

“The recent media reporting regarding Princess Sofia has given rise to speculation about the Princess and her alleged relationship with Jeffrey Epstein,” a spokesperson for the Royal Court of Sweden told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Sofia Hellqvist, future princess, and friend Sivan Mor attend a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17, 2008, in New York City.  (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

“The Royal Court has responded to questions from Dagens Nyheter about whether the Princess in her 20s was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein.”

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Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were both indicted on federal sex trafficking charges stemming from Epstein’s years of abuse of underage girls.  (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

“The Royal Court notes the significant media interest in this matter,” the spokesperson shared. 

“At the same time, it is important that the reporting remains focused on what is relevant. No one can be expected to remember every person they have encountered throughout their life; however, Princess Sofia recalls meeting Epstein on a few occasions about 20 years ago.”

This undated photo shows ex-Prince Andrew of Britain and Jeffrey Epstein at Ascot in the U.K. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

“We wish to clarify that these meetings took place in social settings, such as at a restaurant and a movie premiere,” the statement continued. “Reports that the Princess received help from Epstein with acting lessons or with a visa to the United States are incorrect.”

Jeffrey Epstein was connected with several prominent people, including politicians, actors and academics.  (Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)

“The Princess has never been dependent on him in any way, nor has she had any contact with him for the past 20 years,” the statement concluded.

Ehnbom reportedly wrote in a December 2005 email, “This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York. She’s the girl I told you about before I left, who I thought you might like to meet. Maybe we can visit before you go on holiday?” The message included a photo.

Epstein reportedly replied, “I’m in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? I’ll send a ticket.”

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A building stands on top of a hill on Little Saint James island, which was owned by fund manager Jeffrey Epstein, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, circa 2019.  (Marco Bello/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

It’s believed that Epstein was inviting Sofia to Little Saint James, his privately owned island, where he was accused of sex trafficking minors.

The Swedish Royal Court told the outlet that Sofia was “introduced to the person in question on a few occasions around 2005.” Officials also noted that Sofia did not accept the invitation to join Epstein in the Caribbean.

The outlet also published a 2006 email from Epstein’s assistant to Ehnbom that read, “Jeffrey wonders what really happened with Camilla. Did you tell her she has a ticket to New York anytime she wants?”

Sofia Hellqvist (left) was an aspiring actress, model and reality TV personality before she became a member of the Swedish royal family.  (Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage/Getty Images)

“I think he means Sofia, the little beautiful dark-haired girl who had her friend Camilla with her,” Ehnbom reportedly replied. It was noted that Epstein offered both women spots at an acting school, but there were issues with their visas.

Fox News Digital reached out to Ehnbom for comment.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of procuring a minor for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. More than a decade later, in 2019, he was indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges involving minors. He died that year at age 66 while awaiting trial.

CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT’S EPSTEIN TIES ‘UNRAVELING’ AFTER DOCUMENT DUMP, EXPERTS WARN

Sofia Hellqvist, who later became Princess Sofia, was bullied by tabloids for her past work as a model. (FameFlynet/Backgrid)

“In the mid-2000s, Sofia was an aspiring actress and model trying to establish herself in New York,” Matta previously told Fox News Digital.

“Unfortunately, Jeffrey Epstein’s social web touched nearly every corner of that world. Being introduced to him at that time doesn’t mean she was complicit in, or even aware of, what would later come to light about his crimes. If anything, young women like Sofia may well have been the ones being groomed, not the other way around.”

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead behind bars in 2019. (Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis via Getty Images)

“The kind of straightforward response we saw from Sweden is very characteristic of the Scandinavian monarchies,” Matta said.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden share four children. (Iwi Onodera/WireImage/Getty Images)

“They tend to favor calm, pragmatic damage control over the defensive or drawn-out approach we often see from the British royals. I doubt Sofia will face any formal repercussions unless more details emerge that shed light on actual misconduct, given how long ago this took place and how firmly she’s distanced herself from it.”

Royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital that Princess Sofia has remained dedicated to the crown. (Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images)

As a model, Sofia famously posed topless with a boa constrictor for the Swedish men’s magazine Slitz. She went on to appear in the reality TV show “Paradise Hotel” in 2005.

Prince Carl Philip is the only son of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. (Mark Cuthbert/Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)

According to multiple reports, Sofia met Prince Carl Philip, 46, the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, at a Swedish nightclub through mutual friends in 2009. Their relationship became public in 2010.

EX-PRINCE ANDREW’S DAUGHTERS ‘EMOTIONALLY DRAINED’ AS EXPLOSIVE EPSTEIN FILES STRAIN FAMILY TIES: EXPERT

Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia after their marriage ceremony on June 13, 2015, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

The couple married in 2015 and went on to launch the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation, which raises awareness about the harmful effects of online bullying and hate speech.

Matta told Fox News Digital that Sofia has dedicated herself to royal duties since joining the Swedish royal family.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip attend Sweden’s National Day on June 06, 2024, in Stockholm. (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

“The Scandinavian monarchies tend to operate with greater transparency than some of their European counterparts, and Sofia’s past before her marriage has always been a part of her story,” said Matta. “If anything, the fact that she addressed this perceived link to Epstein head-on may reinforce positive perceptions of her.”

The wife of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom scolded reporters for asking questions unrelated to the bill he signed into law providing funding for Planned Parenthood.

On Wednesday, Newsom fielded questions after he and others spoke about providing state funding to Planned Parenthood after the Big Beautiful Bill signed into law last year by President Donald Trump pulled federal funding.

However, reporters pressed Newsom on various other topics like California’s delayed and pricey high-speed rail project and his upcoming meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

JONATHAN TURLEY: GRANDSTANDING NEWSOM WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO RIDE THE RAILS TO GLORY IN 2028

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks next to his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom after California’s special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts, at the California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento, California, Nov. 4, 2025.  (REUTERS/Fred Greaves)

That didn’t sit well with Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who tapped her husband’s shoulder and took to the podium.

“We just find it incredulous that we have Planned Parenthood here — and women are 51% of the population,” California’s First Lady said. “And the majority of the questions — all of these questions — have really been about other issues. So it’s just fascinating.”

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California First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom scolded reporters for not asking her husband questions about the Planned Parenthood funding bill he had signed into law. (Screenshot/Gavin Newsom’s YouTube Page)

“You have the incredible Women’s Caucus and all these allies, and you’re not asking about it. And this happens over, and over, and over, and over again,” she continued. “You wonder why we have such a horrific war on women in this country and that these guys are getting away with it. Because you don’t seem to care.”

“So I just offer that with love,” Siebel Newsom said with a chuckle, adding “Ask about what we’re here for today, don’t you think?”

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Jennifer Siebel Newsom accused reporters of not caring about the “horrible war on women in this country.” (Sarah Morris/Getty Images)

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Notably, the reporters seemed unfazed by Siebel Newsom’s criticism as most of the remaining questions her husband addressed did not pertain to the Planned Parenthood funding.

Fox News’ Alexander Hall contributed to this report.