Trump Officially Declares English as the U.S. National Language, Citing Unity and Tradition, While Revoking Clinton-Era Policy on Multilingual Government Services
Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, citing the need for national cohesion in a country shaped by immigration.
The order, published by the White House, states that it is “long past time” to formally establish English as the nation’s primary language. “A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society,” the document asserts, emphasizing the importance of a shared language for the free exchange of ideas.
The order reverses a 1990s-era directive from former President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies and federally funded institutions to assist non-English speakers. However, the new mandate allows agencies to determine how much support they will provide in other languages.
“Nothing in this order… requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency,” it states, leaving discretion to agency heads to ensure services remain effective.
Trump’s executive action is one of many issued in his first weeks in office, as he moves swiftly to implement conservative policies. However, several of his orders face legal challenges, particularly those attempting to cut federal funding.
The White House acknowledged that over 350 languages are spoken in the U.S., with nearly 68 million people speaking a language other than English at home. While English remains dominant, more than 40 million Americans speak Spanish, alongside communities that speak Chinese, Vietnamese, and Native American languages.
The order asserts that English has been the language of governance “since the founding of our Republic,” as key documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written in English.
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