ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 14224Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14224

Designating English as the Official Language of the United States

Democracy & GovernanceDemocracy & GovernanceImmigrationImmigrationCivil RightsCivil RightsFederal WorkforceFederal Workforce

In simple terms

This executive order designates English as the official language of the United States and revokes Executive Order 13166 (2000), which required federal agencies to provide services to limited-English-proficiency individuals. However, the order explicitly does not require agencies to change their current multilingual services, leaving operational decisions to agency heads.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 11363

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 90 FR 11363

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Attorney General to rescind EO 13166 policy guidance and provide updated guidance

Key directives

  • Designate English as official language of the United States
  • Revoke Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000
  • Attorney General shall rescind policy guidance documents issued pursuant to EO 13166 and provide updated guidance
  • Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill agency missions
  • Agency heads not required to amend, remove, or stop production of non-English documents or services

Who is ordered

Prior policyRollback

  • revokeExecutive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • EO 13166 revoked
  • English designated as official language symbolically

Near term (90d)

  • Attorney General to rescind EO 13166 policy guidance documents
  • Agency heads may adjust service delivery at discretion

Long term

  • Potential gradual reduction in multilingual federal services depending on agency head decisions
  • Symbolic normalization of English-only framework in federal operations

Risks & tensions

  • Symbolic-versus-substantive gap: revocation of EO 13166 without mandating service changes creates legal/policy ambiguity
  • Discretionary language ('should,' 'not required') may produce inconsistent agency implementation
  • Potential chilling effect on multilingual service provision despite explicit non-requirement
  • Vulnerable to litigation over disparate impact on LEP communities if agencies reduce services
Executive Order 14224: Designating English as the Official Language of the United States · Executive Orders