Trump signs executive order making English official language of US

IiOn March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, marking a significant policy shift in the nation’s nearly 250-year history.

This executive order revokes Executive Order 13166, issued in 2000 by President Bill Clinton, which mandated that federal agencies and recipients of federal funding provide language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency. Under the new directive, the provision of such services is now at the discretion of individual agency heads.

The administration asserts that establishing English as the official language aims to promote unity, cultivate a shared culture, ensure consistency in governmental operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement.

Critics argue that this policy change could hinder access to essential services for non-English speakers, potentially affecting their ability to participate fully in civic life. Advocacy groups express concern that the rescission of mandated language assistance may disproportionately impact immigrant communities and those with limited English proficiency.

This executive order is one of over 70 issued in the initial weeks of President Trump’s second term, reflecting a broader agenda to reshape federal policies.

The long-term implications of this policy shift remain uncertain, as federal agencies and organizations adjust to the new directive and its potential impact on service accessibility for non-English-speaking populations.