Trump to Sign Order Making English the US Official Language, Ending Federal Language Services Requirement

Former US President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday making English the official language of the United States, according to White House officials. The order will also eliminate requirements for federal agencies to provide language services to non-English speakers.

The US has never had an official language in its nearly 250-year history. White House officials say the move is aimed at improving government efficiency and promoting national unity.

According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 68 million of the country’s 340 million residents speak a language other than English, including more than 160 Native American languages.

The executive order will revoke a 2000 policy signed by former President Bill Clinton that required government agencies and federal funding recipients to ensure their programs were accessible to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). However, agencies will still have the option to provide language access services.

Republicans have long pushed to establish English as the country’s official language, with legislation introduced in the House as recently as 2021, though it failed. Opponents argue that such a move is unnecessary and could lead to discrimination against non-English speakers.