The White House says the initiative is intended to “promote unity” and “cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens.”
President Trump has officially declared English as the sole official language of the United States via executive order. This marks the first time in the nation’s history that such a designation has been made, according to the White House.
The executive order, signed on March 1, 2025, highlights the importance of a common language for fostering unity and facilitating civic participation. The order also nullifies a 2000 mandate by President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds to offer language assistance to individuals with limited proficiency in English.
“Establishing English as the official language will not only make communication more efficient but also strengthen shared national values and build a more unified and effective society,” the order states. It further asserts that it is “in America’s best interest for the federal government to designate one — and only one — official language.”
“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 White House (@WhiteHouse)
As per the new directive, agency leaders have the authority to decide whether to continue providing services in languages other than English, based on their specific objectives and the effective provision of government services.
The U.S. has never had an official language at the federal level; previous congressional attempts to establish English as the national language have been unsuccessful. However, more than 30 states have already designated English as their official language.
According to U.S. Census data, over 350 languages are spoken within the United States, but the vast majority – 78% of residents – primarily use English at home. Spanish is the second most common language (13.4% of the population), followed by Chinese (approximately 1%). Less prevalent languages include Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, and Korean, in addition to over a million Russian speakers.
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