President Donald Trump is preparing to issue an executive order that will establish English as the official language of the United States, in line with an official statement from the White House. This measure is intended to give discretion to government agencies and federal funding recipients over whether to continue offering documents and services in languages other than English.
The expectation was for Trump to formalize this order on Friday, but by the evening, there was no confirmation from the White House, and they did not provide any comments upon inquiry. This move will overturn a mandate from the Clinton administration that required organizations and government bodies benefiting from federal funds to offer language support for those not fluent in English.
The rationale offered by the White House indicates that naming English as the national language is aimed to foster national unity, streamline government operations, and ultimately enhance civic participation. Up to this point, English has been officially recognized in over 30 states, as reported by U.S. English, an organization advocating for English’s official status across the nation.
Attempts to legislate English as the official language nationwide have appeared in Congress multiple times over the years yet have consistently failed. Shortly after taking office last month, Trump’s administration removed the Spanish-language version of the White House website. This action prompted bewilderment and dissatisfaction among Hispanic groups, although the administration initially assured that the Spanish version would return. As of the last update, it has not been reinstated, and the White House offered no immediate clarification regarding its status.
This removal of Spanish language content was a hallmark of Trump’s first term, followed by its reintroduction under President Joe Biden’s tenure. The Wall Street Journal was the first to announce the upcoming order last Friday.
