Coalie
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OSMRE in-house staff (2026 update)
| Coalie | |
|---|---|
 An AI-generated image of Coalie posted by Doug Burgum | |
| First appearance | 2026-01-26 |
| Created by | Sara Eckert (original concept) OSMRE in-house staff (2026 update) |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Anthropomorphic coal |
| Gender | Male |
Coalie is the official mascot for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), a bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. Introduced in January 2026 during the second presidency of Donald Trump, the character is designed as an anthropomorphic lump of coal intended to promote the administration's "American Energy Dominance Agenda" and educate the public on coal mining regulation and land reclamation.[1]
The character originated in 2018 as an internal office joke within the OSMRE. Sara Eckert, the agency's social media manager at the time, placed googly eyes on a piece of coal to create an unofficial mascot for the bureau's digital channels.[2] over the following years, the character evolved through various iterations shared on internal platforms such as Microsoft Teams, eventually gaining accessories such as a hard hat and boots.[3]
Coalie was formally introduced to the public on January 21, 2026.[4] The announcement gained significant national attention on January 22, when Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum posted an image on social media featuring a cartoon version of himself alongside the mascot. In the post, Burgum described Coalie as a tool to help "unleash beautiful, clean coal" and act as a guide for the administration's energy policies.[2]
Characteristics and design
Coalie is depicted as a black, textured lump of coal with large, "kawaii-style" eyes, pink cheeks, and wide grin. He typically wears yellow mining boots, gloves, and a white hard hat.[1] Journalists and graphic designers have noted that the 2026 imagery of Coalie appears to be generated using artificial intelligence, citing inconsistencies in the number of stripes on American flags and other "uncanny" visual artifacts in official promotional materials.[5]
The OSMRE has defined Coalie's personality as "wise, curious, and collaborative," citing influences such as Smokey Bear and characters from Schoolhouse Rock!.[2]