In a significant move that will reshape federal language policies, U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order making English the official language of the United States.
The executive order, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday and later confirmed by a White House official, marks a historic step, as it would be the first time the U.S. has officially designated a national language at the federal level.
The executive order comes with substantial changes, notably rescinding a mandate put in place during the Clinton administration.
Under the previous rules, federal agencies and recipients of government funds were required to provide extensive language assistance to non-English speakers, especially in government services.
The new order, however, provides federal agencies with greater flexibility in determining when and how to offer services in languages other than English.
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The White House is strongly backing this change, arguing that while many languages are spoken across the country, English remains the most widely used and central to American identity.
In a fact sheet released to ABC News, the administration emphasized that establishing English as the official language will help unify the nation and improve the efficiency of government operations.
“Establishing English as the official language promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” the White House explained.
The move is likely to stir significant debate, particularly among advocates for non-English speakers, who argue that this could reduce access to vital services for millions of Americans who rely on language assistance.
While the executive order is confirmed, it is still unclear when Trump is expected to sign it into effect, but its potential impact is already sparking discussion across the political spectrum.
