DOJ Directs Federal Agencies to Prioritize English Language Use
DOJ urges federal agencies to shift to English-only operations, citing Trump’s official language order.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new guidance directing federal agencies to prioritize the use of English in their operations, aligning with President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order that designated English as the official language of the United States. The guidance, published in the Federal Register, outlines a shift in how agencies handle multilingual services and communications, emphasizing English as the primary language for public-facing materials and internal operations.
Guidance Emphasizes English in Key Areas
The directive instructs agencies to prioritize English for regulations, guidance documents, policy statements, internal communications, and training materials. It also encourages the removal of non-English content from digital platforms and services, highlighting the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s recent move to eliminate non-English languages from its website. The guidance also notes that the Departments of Homeland Security, Education, and Treasury have already begun similar actions.
However, the guidance does not mandate the complete removal of multilingual services in all cases. Agencies are directed to review whether their multilingual assistance programs are legally required or necessary for their mission. If not, they are encouraged to discontinue such programs. The guidance acknowledges that certain operations, such as immigration enforcement, healthcare services, and national security, may require multilingual support, but stresses the need to use the least burdensome and most cost-effective methods for providing non-English assistance.
Examples and Implementation
The guidance provides examples of where multilingual assistance is legally required, such as federal statutes, the Constitution, and binding judicial orders. It also lists scenarios where language services are essential for the agency’s mission, including interactions with foreign officials and operations in diverse communities. The document further highlights the example of the General Services Administration shutting down the Spanish version of USA.gov, which serves as a model for other agencies.
While the directive does not require agencies to make immediate changes in all areas, it encourages a strategic and efficient approach to language use, aiming to streamline government operations and improve public access to services. The DOJ’s guidance reflects a broader effort to standardize communication and operations across federal agencies, in line with Trump’s vision for a unified, English-speaking government.
Source: Breitbart
