It is the first time the federal government has ever declared an official language for the nation.
President Donald Trump on Saturday night signed an executive order declaring that English is the official language of the United States.
The anticipated action marked the first time an official language has been declared by the federal government.
Trump’s order said the declaration would improve the cohesiveness of the nation.
“From the founding of our Republic, English has been used as our national language,” the order noted. “Our Nation's historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have all been written in English.
“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,” it added.
Trump also rescinded a Clinton-era mandate requiring agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, but he said the government will still provide documents and services in other languages.
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“Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English,” the order stated.
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