Trump killed the Digital Equity Act, but US was forced to bring part of it back
The Trump administration is reinstating a $1.25 billion broadband grant program following a court ruling, though it has successfully removed race-based allocation criteria. The program, part of the Digital Equity Act, aims to close broadband access gaps through income and disability-based metrics.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over federal equity programs and the administration's efforts to reshape social policy through the judiciary.
Digital Equity Act 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.
8 President Donald Trump in the White House's Oval Office on May 23, 2025. Credit: Getty Images | Mandel Ngan President Donald Trump in the White House's Oval Office on May 23, 2025. Credit: Getty Images | Mandel Ngan Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The Trump administration said it will reinstate a broadband grant program to comply with a court ruling that prevented it from fully ignoring the Digital Equity Act enacted by Congress in 2021. The US government said in a court filing that it plans to start taking applications for grants in December.
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