The U.S. Department of Justice has issued new guidance to federal agencies in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order officially designating English as the language of the federal government.
Signed by President Trump in March 2025, Executive Order No. 14,224 declares English the official language of the United States. The order repeals longstanding policies—including those put in place by former President Bill Clinton—that required federal agencies to provide language assistance to individuals lacking proficiency in English. Instead, the new directive emphasizes English usage in all official federal operations.
In a memorandum distributed to all federal agencies, Attorney General Pam Bondi outlined immediate steps for compliance:
- Rescission of Multilingual Requirements: All prior Justice Department guidance on language access for limited English proficient individuals is suspended.
- Suspension of LEP.gov: The central website and resources hub for Limited English Proficiency services will be paused pending review.
- Agency Reviews: Agencies must evaluate which existing programs and resources can operate exclusively in English.
- Refocused Resources: Government funds will be redirected toward English-language instruction and civic integration.
- Legal Compliance: Translations and multilingual support must now be justified as required by federal law, notably for accessibility for individuals with disabilities or in rare cases where statutes specifically mandate.
The DOJ memo clarifies that while Title VI of the Civil Rights Act still protects against discrimination based on national origin, language differences alone do not constitute a civil rights violation. Therefore, routine translation of federal documents or the maintenance of multilingual call centers will be sharply scaled back, except where existing legislation compels it. Translated materials that remain in use will require disclaimers affirming that English is the binding version in any dispute.
The Department advises that agencies use AI-based translation tools only when strictly necessary, and all federal websites, notices, and advisories will default to English unless exemptions are approved.
Federal agencies are required to submit compliance plans and internal audits within 180 days, after which new, permanent guidelines will take effect. Public comment on further details of implementation will be solicited later this year as DOJ continues refining the policy.
