President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration are facing a new lawsuit from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), which claims the White House failed to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters during press briefings—a move the group says violates federal disability laws.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, accuses the Executive Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President, Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt of ending ASL interpreter services in January. According to the plaintiffs, this decision effectively shut out thousands of deaf Americans from understanding official communications on key national issues—such as border security, the economy, Medicare, Social Security, and executive actions impacting families across the country.
A Matter of Accessibility or Another Attack on the Trump Administration?
The NAD insists that for many deaf individuals, written captions aren’t enough. American Sign Language, with its unique structure and grammar, is the primary language for countless Americans. “ASL interpretation is not optional—it’s essential,” the complaint argues. “English subtitles are not a suitable replacement.”
This isn’t the first time President Trump’s administration has been pulled into legal proceedings over sign language access. In 2020, the NAD sued over the absence of ASL interpreters during COVID-19 briefings. A judge ordered the administration to provide interpreters via in-frame or picture-in-picture formats. That case was eventually dropped once President Joe Biden took office and issued a memo requiring sign language support during press events.
Now, under Trump’s leadership once again, the NAD wants those services restored—claiming the current White House has abandoned the standards set under previous administrations, including Biden’s.
Lawsuit Filed as Deaf Americans Demand Equal Access to Critical Information
Two deaf individuals, Derrick Ford from Indiana and Matthew Bonn from Maryland, joined the NAD in filing the suit. Both men say they were unable to access critical information on major federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security—issues especially important to older Americans and retirees.
“Ford and Bonn missed vital updates on executive orders, healthcare benefits, DEI policies, and other pressing topics,” attorneys said.
Despite a formal letter sent to the White House in January requesting the reinstatement of ASL interpreters, no official response has been received.
What Are the Legal Stakes?
The plaintiffs argue that the White House is in direct violation of federal law, which mandates that government services be accessible to Americans with disabilities. They are now asking a federal court to issue an injunction requiring visible, qualified ASL interpreters during all presidential briefings—whether delivered by the President, Vice President, First Lady, or Press Secretary.
The suit also demands that these interpreters be clearly visible on television broadcasts, livestreams, and all official White House videos posted online or to social media.
In a statement, Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, interim CEO of the NAD, said:
“This is about fairness and access. Deaf Americans have a constitutional right to receive timely information from their government, just like everyone else. The White House must uphold that right.”
Summons have been issued to the defendants, who will have 60 days to respond in court.
Why This Matters for Every American
At its core, this legal battle raises a fundamental question: Should the federal government be held accountable when it fails to communicate with every citizen—especially in times of crisis?
For many Americans over 50 who depend on Social Security, Medicare, and clear communication about executive actions, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for transparency, accountability, and accessibility under future administrations.
As President Trump continues working to restore constitutional order and fight government bloat, this lawsuit serves as a reminder of how important it is that all Americans—regardless of ability—stay informed and empowered.