Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Outside the box.
Federal Court Orders White House to Restore ASL Interpreters at Presidential Briefings
Judge mandates live American Sign Language interpretation at press events involving President Trump or Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
A federal judge has ordered the White House to reinstate American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at all publicly announced press briefings conducted by President Donald Trump or White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali issued a preliminary injunction, finding that the exclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans from these briefings likely violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The lawsuit, filed in May by the National Association of the Deaf and two individual deaf plaintiffs, challenged the White House’s decision to stop providing ASL interpreters when President Trump resumed office in January 2025. The plaintiffs argued that providing closed captions alone is inadequate because ASL is a distinct language with its own grammar and vocabulary.
In his ruling, Judge Ali emphasised that White House briefings cover critical topics—such as war, the economy and public health—so denying ASL interpretation constitutes “clear and present harm” that cannot be remedied after the fact.
The judge rejected the administration’s argument that interpreter presence would constitute a “major incursion” into the presidential platform, noting that remote ASL interpretation is feasible.
Under the injunction, the White House must provide a simultaneous and publicly visible feed featuring a qualified ASL interpreter whenever the President or Press Secretary addresses the press.
The order does not currently extend to briefings by the Vice President, First Lady or other officials, nor does it mandate interpretation for all White House-produced videos or social-media posts.
The National Association of the Deaf welcomed the decision, stating it affirms the principle that equal access to government communication is not optional.
The White House has been ordered to submit a compliance report to the court by Friday following the ruling.
U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali issued a preliminary injunction, finding that the exclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans from these briefings likely violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The lawsuit, filed in May by the National Association of the Deaf and two individual deaf plaintiffs, challenged the White House’s decision to stop providing ASL interpreters when President Trump resumed office in January 2025. The plaintiffs argued that providing closed captions alone is inadequate because ASL is a distinct language with its own grammar and vocabulary.
In his ruling, Judge Ali emphasised that White House briefings cover critical topics—such as war, the economy and public health—so denying ASL interpretation constitutes “clear and present harm” that cannot be remedied after the fact.
The judge rejected the administration’s argument that interpreter presence would constitute a “major incursion” into the presidential platform, noting that remote ASL interpretation is feasible.
Under the injunction, the White House must provide a simultaneous and publicly visible feed featuring a qualified ASL interpreter whenever the President or Press Secretary addresses the press.
The order does not currently extend to briefings by the Vice President, First Lady or other officials, nor does it mandate interpretation for all White House-produced videos or social-media posts.
The National Association of the Deaf welcomed the decision, stating it affirms the principle that equal access to government communication is not optional.
The White House has been ordered to submit a compliance report to the court by Friday following the ruling.
