The U.S. Department of Justice has instructed all federal agencies to scale back the multilingual services they provide, aligning with the Trump administration’s push to designate English as the official language of the country.
In an internal memorandum, the Department argued that limiting programs for individuals with limited English proficiency will help streamline government processes, improve institutional clarity, and reduce operational costs.
“This initiative is not merely a return to tradition but a forward-looking strategy to enhance social and economic integration by giving all residents the opportunity to learn and adopt English as a path to achieving the American Dream,” stated the document, signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bondi added that making English the official language strengthens national unity and operational efficiency, while also providing practical tools for agencies to balance this mandate with their core responsibilities.
President Trump signed an executive order in March declaring English as the official national language. In compliance with this directive, the Justice Department said on Monday that federal agencies must evaluate which of their programs, grants, and policies could better serve the public if operated exclusively in English.
For services that remain multicultural, agencies must include a clear statement that English is the government’s official language. The memo also recommended agencies consider using artificial intelligence to cut translation costs and redirect those funds toward programs that promote English language acquisition and assimilation.
