President Donald Trump is set to sign a groundbreaking executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, marking the first time in the nation’s history that a national language will be officially recognized, according to a report by the Associated Press on Friday.
This order will overturn a directive from former President Bill Clinton’s administration, which required federal agencies and recipients of government funding to provide extensive language assistance for non-English speakers. Under the new policy, agencies will have the discretion to decide how and when to offer services in languages other than English.
The White House has emphasized that while the U.S. is home to hundreds of languages, English remains the most widely spoken. The administration argues that establishing a national language will promote unity among Americans.
This move aligns with President Trump’s broader efforts to scale back government programs supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Shortly after taking office, he issued an order halting federal grants and contracts related to equity programs. A subsequent directive required federal contractors to confirm that they do not support DEI initiatives.
No Official Language—Until Now
Despite being the world’s richest democracy, the United States has never had an official federal language, leading to ongoing debates—especially in states with strong Spanish heritage.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Americans speak more than 350 languages, with Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic among the most common after English. The use of Spanish in public life has been a particularly contentious issue, particularly in Texas, which shares a border with Mexico.
In 2011, a Texas state senator insisted that an immigrant rights advocate speak English instead of Spanish during a legislative session. Many older Mexican-American residents recall being punished in schools during the 1950s for speaking Spanish. Texas, once part of the Spanish Empire, became the 28th U.S. state in December 1845.
Currently, 31 states have already designated English as their official language for government purposes, though this does not prohibit the use of other languages in official settings or everyday life. Some states, like Hawaii, recognize multiple official languages, with both English and Hawaiian being officially acknowledged. In New Mexico and Puerto Rico, Spanish and English are widely spoken and used in government affairs.
