Story perspectives

Trump Invokes Wartime Powers to Boost Fossil Fuel Output

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump invoked wartime authority on April 21, 2026, signing five memos under the Defense Production Act to boost fossil-fuel output.
The move follows gas-price increases tied to the Iran conflict.
Critics such as Tyson Slocum of Public Citizen say emergency powers benefit fossil-fuel interests.
Chevron and ExxonMobil earned over $30 million per hour during the conflict, as Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to shield them from climate liability.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump invoked wartime authority on April 21, 2026, signing five memos under the Defense Production Act to boost fossil-fuel output.
The move follows gas-price increases tied to the Iran conflict.
Critics such as Tyson Slocum of Public Citizen say emergency powers benefit fossil-fuel interests.
Chevron and ExxonMobil earned over $30 million per hour during the conflict, as Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to shield them from climate liability.