President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order making English the official language of the United States, according to three White House officials who spoke with the press on Friday. This move would mark the first time in U.S. history that a national language has been formally established at the federal level.
The executive order will rescind a directive issued by former President Bill Clinton in August 2000, which required federal agencies and recipients of federal funds to provide services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Under Trump’s new directive, federal agencies will still be allowed to maintain their current practices, providing documents and services in multiple languages.
While Trump’s schedule for the day does not indicate any specific time for the signing, a White House source has not disclosed when the order is expected to be signed.
Currently, more than half of U.S. states have officially recognized English as their official language, but this designation has yet to be established at the federal level. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 68 million Americans, or about one in five, spoke a language other than English at home in 2019, reflecting a significant increase from the numbers in 1980.
The White House fact sheet accompanying the announcement argues that designating a national language will “strengthen the fabric of our society” by fostering unity and civic engagement, as well as enhancing “efficiency in government operations.”
