"White House Ordered to Provide ASL Interpreters at Urgent Briefings"

Federal Judge Orders White House to Provide American Sign Language Interpreters at Press Briefings A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the White House to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at press briefings when the President or press secretary are speaking. The ruling, issued on November 5, 2025, comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Association of the Deaf and two deaf individuals, who alleged that the White House's decision to stop using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events in January 2025 violated the Rehabilitation Act. According to the lawsuit, the White House's decision to exclude ASL interpreters from press briefings and other public events denied deaf Americans equal access to information on critical issues affecting their daily lives. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali wrote in his ruling that "White House press briefings engage the American people on important issues affecting their daily lives, in recent months, war, the economy, and healthcare, and in recent years, a global pandemic." The judge's order aims to ensure equal access to information for deaf Americans during critical events. The National Association of the Deaf and the two deaf individuals who filed the lawsuit argued that the White House's decision to stop using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events was a clear and present harm to deaf Americans. "We are thrilled that the court has recognized the importance of equal access to information for deaf Americans," said Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf. "We believe that this ruling will have a significant impact on the lives of deaf Americans and will ensure that they are able to participate fully in public discourse." The White House has not commented on the ruling, but it is expected to comply with the judge's order. According to the ruling, the White House must begin providing ASL interpretation at press briefings immediately. The ruling does not specify whether the White House must provide ASL interpretation at all public events, but it does indicate that the White House must provide ASL interpretation at press briefings when the President or press secretary are speaking. The lawsuit was filed in response to the White House's decision to stop using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events in January 2025. The decision was made despite the fact that the White House had previously provided ASL interpretation at press briefings and other public events. The lawsuit alleged that the White House's decision to stop using live ASL interpreters was a clear and present harm to deaf Americans and violated the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act requires that federal agencies provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, including deaf Americans. The act prohibits federal agencies from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and requires that they provide equal access to information and services. The lawsuit alleged that the White House's decision to stop using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events was a clear violation of the Rehabilitation Act. The ruling is a significant victory for deaf Americans and advocates for disability rights. "This ruling is a major step forward for deaf Americans and will ensure that they are able to participate fully in public discourse," said Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf. "We believe that this ruling will have a significant impact on the lives of deaf Americans and will ensure that they are able to access information and participate in public events on an equal basis with hearing Americans."