President Trump signed an executive order establishing English as the official language of the US, aiming to promote unity and efficiency.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order making English the official language of the United States on Saturday.
This move marks the first time in American history that the federal government has formally established a national language.
It aligns federal policy with the majority of states that have already made English their official tongue.
Rescinding previous directive on language services
The new order reverses a 2000 directive issued during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
That earlier mandate required federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language services to people with limited English proficiency.
The executive order does not prevent agencies from providing multilingual services.
However, it stresses encouraging new immigrants and residents to learn English for better opportunities and integration.
Trump signs executive order naming English the official language of the United States
Despite making English the official language, the executive order allows existing policies to remain in place.
Federal institutions are permitted to keep providing documents and services in other languages.
This approach suggests a balance between promoting a unifying national language and accommodating the diverse linguistic needs of the population.
The White House emphasized this as a way to foster unity and efficiency while respecting America’s multicultural reality.
Over half of the U.S. states have formally adopted English as their official language.
However, until now, no such declaration had been made at the federal level.
This executive order brings the federal government in line with many states that have seen English as an essential part of civic identity and governmental operations.
Rising multilingual population challenges
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 20% of Americans, approximately 68 million people, spoke a language other than English at home in 2019.
This number has grown dramatically since 1980, when the figure was about a third of that.
The increase shows growing linguistic diversity, bringing challenges and opportunities for integration and public service delivery.
White House frames language as a unifying force
The administration argues that declaring English the official language will enhance social cohesion and encourage civic participation.
The government aims to strengthen the “fabric of our society” by promoting a common language.
It suggests that a shared language is key to national unity and effective government communication.
Language and immigration have become central issues in President Trump’s political narrative, especially during his 2024 campaign.
He has frequently expressed concerns about the impact of immigration on American culture and resources.
At a recent Conservative Political Action Conference speech, Trump commented on the growing number of languages entering the country.
He suggested that many Americans find these new languages unfamiliar and difficult to accommodate.