Trump killed the Digital Equity Act, but US was forced to bring part of it back
$1.25 billion program restored, but judge ruled race provision unconstitutional.
The Trump administration has reinstated a portion of the Digital Equity Act, but has maintained its refusal to allocate funds based on the race or ethnicity of beneficiaries. Originally, the bipartisan legislation provided $2.75 billion for three grant programs aimed at bridging the digital divide. In 2022, the Biden administration began distributing $60 million in planning grants to states, and in 2024, began accepting applications to allocate the remaining funds.
However, Trump cited the Act as racist and unconstitutional, leading to the termination of the entire grant program in May 2025. Despite this, the administration will allow applications for grants beginning in December, though allocations will not consider racial or ethnic factors. The judge overseeing the case ruled that the government could distribute funds based on income, age, and disability, but not based on race or ethnicity.
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