Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States, for the first time in nearly 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
The new measure revokes a rule introduced by former President Bill Clinton in 2000, which required government agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, making services accessible to those who do not speak the language.
“Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society,” according to the order.
“In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream,” the order also states. “Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society.”
According to White House sources, the executive order is also intended to “improve government efficiency and promote national unity,” aligning with other orders signed in the first weeks of Trump’s second term. Among them, the one renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and restoring Mount McKinley’s name, replacing the native name Denali.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 68 million out of 340 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English, with Spanish and Chinese being the most common. The agency recognizes over 160 native languages among a total of 350 languages spoken in the country.
In the past, Republicans had unsuccessfully tried to pass legislation to make English the official language. Opponents, such as the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, argue that the U.S. does not need to designate a single official language to preserve diversity and avoid marginalizing minority groups. Historians note that the Founding Fathers deliberately chose not to make English the official language in the Constitution for this very reason.
During both Trump’s first and second terms, his administration immediately removed the Spanish-language version of the White House website (it was restored by the Biden administration on its day one). The Spanish version of the website had symbolic value, reflecting the fact that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S., with over 43 million native speakers, primarily from Latin America, concentrated in California, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and New York City.
