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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday in the Oval Office making English the official language of the U.S.
The order allows federally funded organizations to choose whether to offer documents or services in languages other than English, rescinding a Clinton-era mandate to assist non-English speakers.
“To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language,” the order stated.
“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,” it continued. “Accordingly, this order designates English as the official language of the United States.”
Over 30 states have enacted laws recognizing English as their official language, according to U.S. English, an organization that supports making English the official language of the United States. For years, legislators in Congress have proposed bills to establish English as the country’s official language, but none have been successful.
The order also celebrated “multilingual American citizens” as part of its focus on new Americans learning English.
“A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language,” the order stated.
“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. 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. This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come,” it added.
Shortly after Trump was sworn into office last month, the Spanish-language version of the White House’s official website was removed. This change led to frustration among Hispanic advocacy organizations.
At the time, the White House stated that it planned to reinstate the Spanish version of the site. However, as of Saturday, it remained offline.
During Trump’s first term, the Spanish version of the website was taken down. It was later reinstated when President Joe Biden took office in 2021.