Trump Administration Removes Spanish-Language Version of White House Website Hours After Inauguration
Within hours of President Donald Trump's inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. This abrupt change has sparked confusion and frustration among Hispanic advocacy groups and the broader Latino community, who view the move as a step back in efforts to maintain communication with Spanish-speaking Americans.
The Spanish-language site, which was accessible at https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/, now displays an "Error 404" message. Initially, the page included a "Go Home" button that directed users to a video montage of Trump during his first term and on the campaign trail. This button was later updated to read "Go To Home Page".
Hispanic advocacy groups have expressed their dismay at the sudden removal of the Spanish-language site. Monica Rivera, a brand and communications strategist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, emphasized the significance of this action. "There are 43 million Latinos who speak Spanish as their first language, and removing access to information directly from the White House draws a distinct line as to who they are serving," Rivera stated.
The removal of the Spanish-language site coincided with President Trump's first-day wave of executive orders, which included a crackdown on illegal immigration—a key campaign pledge. Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and announced plans to deploy U.S. troops to support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum seekers.
White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields responded to the concerns, stating that the administration is "committed to bringing back online the Spanish translation section of the website." Fields explained that the website is undergoing development, editing, and tweaking, and some archived content went dormant as part of this ongoing work. He assured that the content would be reloaded in a short timeline.
This is not the first time the Spanish-language version of the White House website has been removed. During Trump's first term in 2017, the site was taken down, with officials promising to reinstate it. The page was eventually reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2021.
The removal of the Spanish-language site has raised broader questions about the administration's commitment to inclusivity and communication with the Latino community. According to 2023 Census Bureau estimates, approximately 43.4 million Americans—13.7% of the U.S. population aged 5 and older—speak Spanish at home. The U.S. does not have an official language, making access to information in multiple languages crucial for effective governance.
As the administration works to restore the Spanish-language section of the White House website, the Latino community remains vigilant, hoping for swift action to ensure that Spanish-speaking Americans have access to vital information. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of linguistic inclusivity in government communication and the need to bridge gaps in access to information for all citizens.
In the meantime, the Spanish versions of other government agency websites, such as the Department of Labor, Justice, and Agriculture, remain available for users. The administration's response to this issue will be closely watched as an indicator of its commitment to serving the diverse population of the United States.
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