President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States. If signed, this will mark the first time the U.S. has an official language at the federal level.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news, which was later confirmed by a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The order will overturn a policy from the Clinton administration that required government agencies and federally funded organizations to provide extensive language assistance for non-English speakers.
Under the new order, government agencies will have more flexibility in deciding when and how to offer services in other languages. According to a fact sheet shared with ABC News, the White House argues that this change will improve efficiency in government operations.
Defending the decision, the White House stated that while hundreds of languages are spoken in the U.S., English is the most widely used. Officials believe that establishing a national language will help unify the country and streamline government services.
“Making English the official language promotes national unity, enhances efficiency, and encourages civic engagement,” the White House said in the fact sheet.
It remains unclear when President Trump will officially sign the order.
