Research
Tracking Trump's executive orders: Designating English as the Official Language of the United States
Executive Order 14224: Designating English as the Official Language of the United States
Date Signed: March 1, 2025
Key Provisions:
- Executive Order _ makes English the official language of the United States
- It states, “Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.”
- It revokes a Clinton-era Executive Order to improve access to those with limited English proficiency, but does not require any agencywide service changes
- As explained in a corresponding fact sheet, “This designation specifically allows agencies to keep current policies and provide documents and services in other languages, but encourages new Americans to adopt a national language that opens doors to greater opportunities.”
Interfaith Alliance Counterpoints:
- While this order does not mandate any specific changes, Interfaith Alliance worries that this Executive Order will further a divisive, unwelcoming culture for those who do not speak English or struggle to speak it fluently
- Rather than pushing for cultural statements that exclude others, Interfaith Alliance welcomes symbolic gestures that promote the inclusive, pluralistic democracy we aspire to become
- The First Amendment upholds free speech and does not limit that right to one language
Transcript
The Critical Need for Humanist Inclusion
Humanism is a non-theistic worldview centered on ethical living and human responsibility, long protected as a religion under the First Amendment. A recent Texas court ruling threatens these protections by excluding non-theistic beliefs. Interfaith Alliance is defending equal religious freedom for Humanists and all belief systems.
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Trans Rights and Religious Freedom
Over the past few years, we have witnessed an alarming increase in prejudice against transgender people and attacks on the LGBTQ+ movement. This prejudice has manifested in several ways: bathroom bills denying access based on gender identity, denial of medical care for critical health services, and alarming rates of hate crimes and violence. Unfortunately, much of this rise in hatred has been fueled by religious rhetoric. To explain why the pro-democracy faith movement proudly supports trans people and all members of the LGBTQ+ community, we offer answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about religious freedom and the trans rights movement in the United States.