WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday designating English as the official language of the United States, marking the first time in the nation’s history that such a measure will be enacted at the federal level, a White House official confirmed.
The order will overturn a policy established by former President Bill Clinton in 2000, which required federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. According to the White House, Trump’s decision aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to prioritize national unity and streamline government operations.
This move comes amid Trump’s aggressive push to tighten immigration policies during the first five weeks of his second term. Over the past 50 years, immigration has brought millions of people to the U.S., introducing hundreds of languages into the cultural fabric of the nation. Despite the new order, federal agencies will retain the flexibility to provide documents and services in languages other than English when necessary.
“Agencies will have the discretion to determine how and when to offer services in languages other than English to best serve the American people and fulfill their missions,” the White House stated in a summary of the order.
The U.S. is home to an estimated 350 to 430 languages, with English being the most widely spoken. The White House emphasized that the order aims to promote national cohesion, arguing that establishing English as the official language will help newcomers integrate into communities, embrace American traditions, and enrich the nation’s shared culture.
“Encouraging new Americans to adopt a national language opens doors to greater opportunities and fosters unity,” the White House said.
Currently, 32 states have already designated English as their official language through legislative statutes or constitutional amendments.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Trump’s plans for the executive order. Trump has frequently criticized the diversity of languages spoken in the U.S., particularly in the context of immigration. Last year, he remarked, “We have languages coming into our country. We don’t have one instructor in our entire nation that can speak that language. These are languages—it’s the craziest thing—they have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. It’s a very horrible thing.”
Following his inauguration in January, the Trump administration removed the Spanish-language version of the White House website and its Spanish-language X account, @LaCasaBlanca, signaling a shift in its approach to multilingual communication.
The executive order is expected to spark debate over its implications for inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for non-English-speaking communities across the country. Critics argue that such a move could marginalize immigrants and limit their access to essential services, while supporters believe it will strengthen national identity and streamline government operations.
As the order takes effect, its impact on federal agencies, immigrant communities, and the broader American public will be closely watched.
