In a move that has sparked debate, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. The order, which was published by the White House on Saturday, declares that English is the nation’s primary language and is essential for a “unified and cohesive society”.
According to the order, a nationally designated language is crucial for the exchange of ideas among citizens. The document states, “A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.”
The executive order revokes a presidential mandate from the 1990s, which required federal agencies to assist non-English speakers. However, the new directive allows agencies to decide how much support to offer in languages other than English.
The move has been met with controversy, as many argue that it may infringe upon the rights of non-English speakers. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concerns that English-only laws can violate the U.S. Constitution’s protection of due process and equal protection.
The United States is a linguistically diverse country, with over 350 languages spoken across the nation. While English is the dominant language, nearly 68 million people speak a language other than English at home, according to 2019 US government figures.
Trump’s executive order is part of a series of moves aimed at imposing his right-wing policies on the country. However, many of his orders are being challenged in court, particularly those that attempt to annul federal funding approved by Congress.
