In a move that’s sparking plenty of conversation, the Department of Justice has rolled out new guidelines to support former President Donald Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224, which declares English as the official language of the United States.
This directive marks a sharp departure from past policies that emphasized multilingual access in government services.
The DOJ is taking the lead in ensuring that all federal agencies get in line with this order by scaling back non-essential multilingual services and redirecting resources toward English-language education and assimilation programs.
DOJ Says It’s About Unity and Efficiency
Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words when announcing the move.
“President Trump has made it clear—English is the official language,” she said.
“We’re not just codifying that fact, we’re putting an end to feel-good policies that waste government resources. This is about promoting unity, not division.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon echoed the sentiment, adding, “This order is about more than language—it’s about civic strength.
While we still value linguistic diversity, our primary focus will now be on helping newcomers learn English and fully engage in American society.”
What Changes Are Coming to Federal Agencies?
So what does this actually mean in practice? According to the DOJ, federal departments will begin:
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Phasing out widespread translation services that aren’t deemed essential.
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Shifting funds and attention toward programs that support English proficiency.
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Making sure agency operations are streamlined and no longer burdened by the complexities of offering services in multiple languages.
The DOJ says this will improve efficiency, reduce costs, and help better integrate immigrants into American life by focusing on a common language.
A Big Reversal from the Clinton Era
This policy undoes a longstanding order from the Clinton administration.
Back in August 2000, Executive Order No. 13,166 directed federal agencies to provide better access to services for people with limited English skills.
That often meant offering translated documents, interpreters, and multilingual websites.
