Trump to Sign Executive Order Declaring English as Official US Language/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Friday designating English as the official language of the United States, the White House confirmed. The order will roll back a 2000 mandate from President Bill Clinton, which required government agencies and federally funded organizations to provide language assistance for non-English speakers. Instead, agencies will now have the option to discontinue multilingual services. The move aligns with longstanding conservative efforts but has already sparked concern among Hispanic advocacy groups and civil rights organizations.
Trump’s English Language Order: Quick Looks
- Trump to sign executive order making English the official US language.
- Government agencies can opt out of providing multilingual services.
- The order overturns a 2000 mandate requiring language assistance for non-English speakers.
- More than 30 states already recognize English as their official language.
- Hispanic advocacy groups express concerns about language accessibility.
- Spanish version of White House website still missing after removal last month.
Trump to Sign Executive Order Declaring English as Official US Language
Deep Look: Trump Moves to Make English the Official US Language
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Friday, officially designating English as the national language of the United States. The decision is part of a broader push to emphasize English in government operations, but it has already sparked backlash from immigrant and civil rights groups.
What Does the Executive Order Do?
According to a White House fact sheet, the executive order will:
- Formally designate English as the official language of the United States.
- Rescind a 2000 Clinton-era mandate requiring government agencies and federally funded organizations to offer language assistance.
- Allow agencies to choose whether to continue offering multilingual services or transition to English-only resources.
“This order promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” the White House said in a statement.
The History of the English-Only Debate
Efforts to make English the official language of the United States have been ongoing for decades.
- More than 30 states already have official English language laws in place.
- Congress has repeatedly introduced legislation to establish English as the official language, but such bills have never passed.
Groups like U.S. English, an organization advocating for English-language policies, have long supported this initiative, arguing that a common language fosters national unity.
Backlash From Advocacy Groups
Not everyone supports the move.
- Hispanic advocacy groups and civil rights organizations argue that the order will make it harder for non-English speakers to access essential government services.
- Some legal experts suggest that rolling back multilingual access could violate civil rights protections.
“This is a step backward for inclusivity,” said a spokesperson from the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda. “Millions of Americans rely on multilingual services to navigate essential aspects of daily life.”
White House Website Controversy
Concerns over language accessibility intensified last month when the Trump administration removed the Spanish-language version of the official White House website.
- The White House initially promised to restore it, but as of Friday, it remains offline.
- Trump previously removed the Spanish version during his first term, but it was reinstated under President Joe Biden.
What’s Next?
- The executive order is expected to be signed Friday, but legal challenges from civil rights groups are likely.
- Government agencies will determine how quickly to phase out multilingual services, if they choose to do so.
- Debate over language access in government will likely continue, especially in states with large non-English-speaking populations.
As Trump moves forward with this controversial policy, supporters see it as a step toward national unity, while critics warn it could alienate millions of Americans.
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