On this episode: In March 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 what’s behind Idaho’s latest move, what supporters hope to achieve, and why opponents are raising concerns. Then, Ballotpedia’s Ryan Byrne walks us through the rise of English-as-official-language laws across the country—how they gained momentum in the 1980s, what kinds of court rulings they’ve triggered, and why many of them turn out to be more symbolic than sweeping. We also unpack how Trump’s executive order fits into the broader landscape—and whether it could spark more state-level action in the years ahead.
Guest(s):
- Kyle Pfannenstiel, Reporter for The Idaho Capital Sun
- Ryan Byrne, Ballot Measures Team Lead at Ballotpedia
Key Highlights
- Explore the history of English-as-official-language laws and ballot measures across the country
- Learn how Idaho’s 2026 ballot measure to designate English as the state’s official language came together
- Read the full text of Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order declaring English the official language of the United States
On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
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