DOGE Is Killing Translation Contracts, With a Nudge From Trump

The Trump administration canceled at least 10 contracts meant to help the government communicate with non-English speakers.

Donald Trump

Jose Luis Magana/AP

In the weeks before President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, the Department of Government Efficiency canceled at least 10 contracts that provided federal agencies with language or translation services.

DOGE claimed the contracts, which covered translation, interpretation and language specialist services, contributed to millions of dollars in savings. But Democratic lawmakers and language access advocates warned that shutting down these contracts could be dire for vulnerable Americans who rely on translated materials or interpreters.

And Democrats fear the executive order could mean more cuts to language services are on the way.