President Trump signed an order designating English as the official language of the United States, a largely symbolic move aligned with the English-only movement. This order rescinds a Clinton-era mandate for language assistance to non-English speakers but permits federal agencies to continue their current multilingual practices. While it aims to streamline communication and foster national unity, the proclamation has faced opposition from pro-immigration groups and Democratic leaders, citing concerns over its legality and implications for minorities. Critics, including Puerto Rican officials, argue that this order undermines the country’s diverse identity. Trump has long championed English-only policies, emphasizing his commitment to the “America First” agenda.
On Saturday, the White House announced that President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States.
The order does not mandate any alterations to federal programs and is seen as primarily symbolic. However, it represents a significant win for the English-only movement in the U.S., which has often been linked to efforts to limit bilingual education and immigration.
Over 30 states have already established English as their official language.
“Establishing English as the official language will facilitate communication, strengthen shared national values, and foster a more unified and effective society,” the order stated.
The executive order revokes a mandate from the Clinton administration that required federal agencies and recipients of federal aid to provide language assistance to those who do not speak English, although it still permits agencies to maintain existing policies and provide services in other languages.
While over three-quarters of Americans use only English at home, there are approximately 42 million Spanish speakers and three million Chinese speakers across the nation.
The White House seemed determined to fulfill another of Mr. Trump’s “America First” initiatives, though the order was notable for its lack of extensive changes. Recent GOP actions have combined nativist sentiments with outreach efforts aimed at Spanish-speaking voters, from whom they have gained support.
Reports regarding the anticipated order were quickly welcomed by those in favor of Mr. Trump’s anti-immigration stance.
“This is HUGE,” wrote Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, on social media. “In an age of mass immigration, affirming that English is the American language sends a message of national UNITY.”
However, the initiative also faced pushback from pro-immigration groups and Democratic leaders.
“As with many other executive orders and actions, we will have to assess whether what he’s doing is lawful and constitutional,” said Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the House minority leader, on Friday. “To the extent that it’s not, I’m confident he’ll face legal challenges.”
United We Dream, a youth-led organization, pointed out that the U.S. has never officially designated a language in its history.
“We mean this with all disrespect: No gracias,” stated Anabel Mendoza, the group’s communications director. “We see through Trump’s attempt to continue targeting Black and brown immigrants and communities who speak diverse languages, and we will not stand for it.”
The news of the upcoming order also drew resistance from Puerto Rico, where 94 percent of the population speaks Spanish.
“The president’s declaration of English as the sole official language of the United States contradicts our vision of American identity and our Puerto Rican identity,” said Pablo José Hernández Rivera, Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner and a nonvoting member of the House. “There will be no statehood without assimilation, and Puerto Ricans will never forfeit our identity.”
Trump has historically advocated for English-only initiatives in the U.S. During his 2015 presidential campaign, he ridiculed rival Jeb Bush for occasionally responding in Spanish.
“This is a country where we speak English, not Spanish,” Mr. Trump remarked.