President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday designating English as the official language of the United States, a move that reverses a mandate from former President Bill Clinton requiring government agencies and federally funded organizations to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
The order allows agencies to decide whether to continue offering multilingual services. Trump emphasized that the policy aims to “streamline communication, reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive society.”
“In welcoming new Americans, encouraging the adoption of our national language will empower new citizens and help them achieve the American dream,” the order states.
More than 30 states have already designated English as their official language. While past congressional efforts to make English the national language have failed, Trump’s order bypasses legislative hurdles.
The decision follows the administration’s removal of the Spanish-language version of the White House website shortly after Trump’s inauguration. Despite previous assurances that it would be restored, as of Saturday, the site remained unavailable. The White House has not responded to inquiries regarding its status.
The order has sparked criticism from Hispanic advocacy groups and immigrant rights organizations, who argue that it could create barriers for millions of non-English speakers.
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