Donald Trump loves to present himself as a champion of coal miners. But his administration keeps delaying the implementation of a safety rule to lower miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust.

It has not been a very good year for the American coal industry, as both exports and price per ton continue to trend downward, but it’s been even worse for the coal miners themselves.

Last week, the Trump administration approved yet another delay in the implementation of a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rule to lower miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust. The National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association sued to block the rule back in April — and instead of voicing any opposition to the suit or support for the rule, the Trump Labor Department has ignored the miners’ plight in favor of we

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