The legal woes continue for President Trump. He can’t seem to escape them no matter how hard he tries.
And Donald Trump was blindsided by a lawsuit he had no idea was coming.
Deaf Americans Sue Trump Administration Over Lack of Sign Language Interpreters at White House Briefings
A prominent civil rights group representing deaf Americans has launched a legal challenge against President Donald Trump, demanding the reinstatement of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at White House press briefings to ensure accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, pressing the White House to restore ASL interpretation during its press briefings. The organization emphasized the critical need for deaf Americans to have equal access to vital information shared during these events, a practice that was standard until recently.
The NAD’s fight for accessibility is not new. The organization highlighted its past success in securing interpreter access:
“In September 2020, the NAD obtained a landmark court ruling ordering the White House to provide interpreters for all coronavirus-related briefings. The lawsuit was resolved when the White House implemented a policy to provide ASL interpreters for all press briefings conducted by the President, Vice President, First Lady, Second Gentleman, or the White House Press Secretary.”
Personal Stories at the Heart of the Case
The lawsuit highlights the experiences of two deaf men, Derrick Ford of Anderson, Indiana, and Matthew Bonn of Germantown, Maryland. Ford, whose primary language is ASL, expressed concerns about missing critical updates on policies.
Similarly, Bonn, who finds closed captions insufficient, seeks clear and direct information on topics like the economy, Medicare, Medicaid, and gender-related executive orders.
Legal Grounds for the Lawsuit
The NAD’s complaint argues that the White House’s failure to provide interpreters violates federal law and constitutional rights:
“The complaint alleges that the White House is in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which mandates meaningful access for people with disabilities to all White House communications, and in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which mandates freedom of exchange of information.”
The NAD noted that, following the 2020 settlement, the White House consistently provided ASL interpreters, including Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs), for all public briefings and press conferences. These interpreters were featured on official platforms like WH.gov/live, Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube, ensuring deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals had full access to information. However, this practice ceased abruptly in January 2025, despite repeated requests from the NAD to reinstate it.
Political Context and Past Controversies
The lawsuit comes amid other legal challenges against President Trump, including those from left-leaning organizations like NPR, Harvard University, and a group funded by George Soros. During President Joe Biden’s administration, one ASL interpreter, Heather Meshaw, drew attention for her conservative affiliations.
Meshaw, who led a group called “Hands of Liberty,” was notably seen interpreting the song YMCA, a staple at Trump’s campaign rallies, according to Inside Edition.
Despite these legal battles, President Trump’s approval ratings have seen a significant boost. A recent poll reported by Breitbart News on May 20 showed his job approval rating climbing to 55 percent, reflecting strong public support amid ongoing controversies.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
