White House Clarifies No Official List of Banned Words Exists, Agency Discretion Emphasized

White House Clarifies No Official List of Banned Words Exists, Agency Discretion Emphasized

The White House has confirmed that it does not maintain a list of banned words for official documents, delegating the responsibility of language choices to individual agencies. This clarification comes amidst reports suggesting that the Trump administration has imposed restrictions on the use of numerous terms, including words like ‘diverse’, ‘LGBTQ’, and ‘unconscious bias’.

In recent weeks, various media outlets have circulated stories alleging that the administration has enacted a ban on hundreds of words. However, a White House official assured Fox News Digital that such a list does not exist. Instead, agencies have the authority to select their own wording, provided they align with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump.

Executive Orders Shape Language Policy

Since taking office in January, President Trump has signed a total of 92 executive orders, with several targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across both public and private sectors. These actions have included measures addressing transgender rights, such as prohibiting biological men from competing in women’s sports and banning certain medical procedures for transgender minors.

The controversy surrounding language choice intensified following reported attempts to replace traditional terms with more inclusive alternatives. For instance, activists have advocated using terms like ‘birthing parent’ instead of ‘mother’, which has drawn criticism from various political figures.

Controversial Lexicon Changes

A notable highlight from media reports includes a claim by The New York Times indicating that approximately 250 words have been either removed or are used with caution under the Trump administration. This collection allegedly includes terms that directly challenge executive orders regarding transgender issues and DEI policies. Some of the words on this modified lexicon are ‘they/them’, ‘breastfeed + people’, and ‘antiracist’.

In February, the White House responded to accusations directed toward the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for reportedly instructing scientists to avoid using terms such as ‘woman’ and ‘elderly’ in their external documents. These assertions burdened the agency with accusations of maintaining its own list of prohibited terminology, sparking significant public discourse.

Reinterpretation of Executive Orders

A government spokesperson indicated to Reuters that the majority of words supposedly placed on a banned list were not required to be omitted from official communications. They asserted that the FDA might have misinterpreted Trump’s executive orders regarding gender issues, leading to the unnecessary avoidance of several critical terms.

The White House further clarified that terms such as ‘gender’, ‘inclusion’, ‘identity’, ‘diversity’, ‘intersex’, ‘equity’, ‘equitable’, ‘transgender’, and ‘trans’ do not need to be excluded to comply with the mandates set forth in executive orders.

Historical Context of Language Use in Administrations

Language adaptation is not a new strategy for presidential administrations. Throughout history, various administrations have shifted the terminology in their official documents and public communications to better reflect their policy goals. For example, the Biden administration has faced scrutiny for opting for the phrase ‘birthing people’ over ‘mothers’ in a budget proposal unveiled in 2022. This term, along with alternatives like ‘menstruators’, has also made its way into the vocabulary of numerous federal officials.

Similarly, the Obama administration chose to use ‘undocumented immigrants’ instead of ‘illegal immigrant’ in its official language, reflecting broader immigration policy approaches that aimed to foster inclusivity.

The Intersection of Language and Policy

The evolution of language in political contexts underscores a deeper connection between terminology and policy implementation. As administrations adjust their word choices, they communicate their ideological foundations, shaping public perceptions and expectations.

In conclusion, while the current White House has distanced itself from the notion of enforcing a specific banned word list, the ongoing debate over language highlights the significant implications of word choice in governance. With each new administration, the evolution of language remains a crucial aspect of how policies are crafted and conveyed to the public.