1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge Congress to restore “E pluribus unum” as the official motto of the United States. For most of our history, “E pluribus unum”—“Out of many, one”—served not just as a motto, but as a guiding national principle. Chosen in 1782 for the Great Seal, it reflected the Founders’ vision of a nation built from diverse states, cultures, and peoples unified under a shared civic project. It emphasized that what binds Americans together is not a single creed or religion, but a commitment to democratic ideals and the ability of many different people to form a strong, cohesive whole. In 1956, at the height of the Cold War, Congress replaced this historic motto with “In God We Trust.” While that phrase has cultural significance for many Americans, it does not fully capture the inclusive, pluralistic spirit that defines our constitutional system. We live in a country that is home to people of every faith and of no faith—Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and countless others. Our national identity is not religious; it is civic. Reinstating “E pluribus unum” would reaffirm values that feel especially necessary today: • Unity across differences at a time of deep political polarization • Recognition of our diversity as a strength, not a division • Commitment to pluralism, one of the core pillars of American democracy • A return to the historical intent of our Founders, who deliberately chose a motto grounded in shared civic identity rather than religious affiliation This change would not erase “In God We Trust” from currency, monuments, or cultural life. It would simply restore the original national motto—one that speaks to every American and reflects the constitutional principle that our government represents all of us equally. As your constituent, I believe this symbolic shift would send a powerful message: that despite our differences, we remain one nation, committed to the democratic experiment that has defined us since 1776. I respectfully urge you to introduce or support legislation to reinstate “E pluribus unum” as the official motto of the United States.