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English as the Official Language: Where it already is, and the impact of Trump's Executive Order

On this episode: In 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States. Around the same time, Idaho lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to do the same at the state level—setting the stage for a 2026 ballot measure. But this push for English-only laws has a much longer history, one shaped by shifting politics, cultural identity debates, and legal challenges that go back decades.

For example — did you know that English is already the official language of 30 states?

First, Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel explains…

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