Digital Equity Act Faces Elimination Even with Partisan Support As Trump Moves to Dismantle Digital Equity Act, Calling It “Racist”
The Digital Equity Act, a $2.75 billion initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide by providing internet access, technology, and digital literacy training to underserved communities—including rural areas, veterans, older adults, and low-income families—is now under threat. President Donald Trump has announced plans to terminate the program, labeling it “racist” and “illegal” in a recent Truth Social post.
This move comes despite the act’s bipartisan support and its explicit prohibition of discrimination, focusing instead on broad community needs. The program was part of a larger $65 billion effort under the 2021 infrastructure law to enhance broadband access across the United States.
Impact on Communities and Organizations
The potential dismantling of the Digital Equity Act has left nonprofits and local programs that rely on its funding scrambling to continue operations. Advocates argue that without such support, vulnerable populations will fall further behind in an increasingly digital world. Democratic Senator Patty Murray emphasized the practical benefits and broad bipartisan backing the law had.
The legal feasibility of canceling the program remains uncertain, but current actions are stalling the distribution of already approved grants.
Broader Context of DEI Rollbacks
Trump’s criticism of the Digital Equity Act aligns with a broader pattern of rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Federal agencies have begun removing resources for underrepresented Americans from their webpages following an executive order aimed at ending private sector DEI discrimination.
This trend has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, who warn that such actions could exacerbate existing inequalities and hinder efforts to promote inclusivity and equal opportunity.
What’s at Stake for Digital Access in America
The fight over the Digital Equity Act is more than just political—it’s about access to opportunity in a digital age. From remote learning and telehealth to job applications and small business growth, internet access has become essential infrastructure, and the communities targeted by this program are the ones most likely to be left behind if it’s dismantled.
Advocates warn that ending the program would send a clear message: only certain communities deserve to be connected. As funding freezes and federal support stalls, local groups that built programs around these dollars are now left in limbo.
Whether the act survives or not, the debate has spotlighted a deeper national divide—not just around broadband, but around who gets to benefit from public investment in the first place.
