Name: Trump signs order making English the official language of U.S.
Uploaded: 2025-03-02T13:13:43.762Z
Duration: 2 min 16 s
Description: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, for the first time in its nearly 250-year history. Al Jazeera explores why this has triggered a backlash.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, for the first time in its nearly 250-year history. Al Jazeera explores why this has triggered a backlash.

Washington

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This marks the first time in the country's nearly 250-year history that such a measure has been implemented at the federal level. Previously, 32 states in the U.S. had policies making English their official language.

The White House has stated that this decision promotes unity, improves the efficiency of government operations, and enhances civic engagement. However, critics argue that the move caters to white nationalist sentiments. The action comes amid a diverse linguistic landscape in the U.S., where, according to the Census Bureau, nearly one in five residents speak a language other than English at home.

Additionally, Trump's executive order allows federally funded agencies to opt-out of providing translation services, a provision some view as potentially problematic for non-English speakers. This directive follows the removal of the Spanish version of the White House website and its related social media presence shortly after Trump's inauguration. While the executive order can be overturned by future administrations, it sends a clear message regarding the federal government's stance on linguistic unity.



Trump signs order making English the official language of U.S.

English is now the official language of the United States, officially. For President Trump, signing the executive action addresses his longtime complaint of foreigners diluting the English language in the United States. It's the craziest thing. They have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. 32 states have policies making English their official language, but this is the first time the federal government has taken the same action. The White House says designating English the national language promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement. But not all agree. This is a play to the white nationalist crowd, and I think we see that. And of course, Donald Trump believes that that paid dividends is one of the reasons why he won in 2024. And so I think we're going to continue to see him double down on these very racist tropes that he continues to play. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in five people living in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Trump's executive order also makes translation services now optional for federally funded agencies. It's going to be difficult for most people because most people don't know how to speak English. Trump spent millions of dollars on Spanish language ads during his campaign and won a large number of Latino voters. But soon after his inauguration, the Spanish website for the White House disappeared, as did its handle on X. Some see now making English the official language as Trump's latest rebuke of Spanish speakers. Well, it's definitely like a big threat to them because it could be like this is their home and they've worked hard for everything that they've done. And Trump is basically just trying to take that away because of like their culture and their racial identity. Executive orders do not carry the weight of Congress and can be revoked. But codifying English as the American language intends to send a clear message to the world. Heidi Jocastro, Al Jazeera, Washington.

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