In a move that has ignited discussions across the country, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order officially designating English as the national language of the United States. The decision, announced Saturday, aims to unify the nation while reshaping federal language policies.
According to the White House, the order overturns a 1990s-era mandate under President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies and recipients of government funding to provide multilingual assistance. While agencies still retain some discretion in offering non-English services, the new policy emphasizes English as the primary mode of communication for government affairs.
Trump defended the decision, stating, “A shared language fosters unity. The United States is strengthened when its citizens can freely communicate and exchange ideas in English.”
With over 350 languages spoken across the U.S., and nearly 68 million residents speaking a language other than English at home, the order has drawn both support and criticism. Supporters argue it reinforces national identity, while opponents believe it marginalizes immigrant communities and disregards America’s linguistic diversity.
As legal challenges loom and debate intensifies, one question remains: Will this policy shape the future of U.S. governance or simply fuel more division?
