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In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump has reportedly moved to block a series of broadband grants, branding the Digital Equity Act of 2021 as “racist and illegal.” The action effectively halts funding intended for underserved communities, including veterans and people with disabilities.
Trump announced his decision via a Truth Social post, stating he had spoken with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and they agreed that the Digital Equity Act was “totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL.” He characterized the $2.5 billion program as a “RACIST and ILLEGAL…giveaway” that he was “ending…IMMEDIATELY.”
The Digital Equity Act, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allocates $2.75 billion to bridge the digital divide. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the grants are designed to ensure all communities have the necessary skills, technology, and capacity to thrive in the digital economy.
The Act specifically targets low-income households, seniors (60+), incarcerated individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, those with language barriers, rural residents, and racial or ethnic minorities. The move to kill it has sparked immediate backlash.
“President Trump’s move to end the Digital Equity Act is blatantly unconstitutional,” stated Public Knowledge. The consumer advocacy group argued the decision not only unfairly targets racial equity initiatives but also harms Trump’s own voter base, including rural white Americans, veterans, and the elderly.
The cancellation threatens to disrupt programs already underway, potentially leading to legal challenges against the administration as some states have already received funding.
These funds were intended to provide equipment, networking, hardware, software, and digital network technology to covered populations at low or no cost. They also support the construction and upgrade of public access computing centers and technology training programs.
Law Author Slams Decision as “Insane”
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who authored the Digital Equity Act, condemned the decision. She emphasized the law’s goal of ensuring seniors can access online services and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed. Murray criticized the decision to block funding based on the term “equity.”
“Republicans will have to explain to their constituents why this Republican administration doesn’t believe their local library should get funding to help seniors navigate telehealth options or why middle schoolers in rural districts shouldn’t get laptops,” Murray said.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) also criticized Trump’s decision. Executive Director Angela Siefer asked, “Is it unconstitutional for a grandmother to learn how to protect herself from online scams? Is it unconstitutional for a veteran to access a telehealth appointment? Is it unconstitutional for a child to finish homework at home? Is it unconstitutional for a job-seeker to apply for work online?”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has previously argued that the Digital Equity Act constitutes “impermissible race-based discrimination.” He introduced a proposal, already approved by the Senate, to kill a separate program distributing Wi-Fi hotspots to schoolchildren.
While the Trump administration hasn’t targeted the larger $42.45 billion broadband deployment fund, it is reportedly altering the rules to favor fixed wireless and satellite providers like Starlink, diverging from the Biden administration’s focus on fiber networks.