Trump Administration Reinstates Part of Digital Equity Act Following Court Order

The Trump administration has announced it will reinstate a broadband grant program to comply with a court order that required it to adhere to the Digital Equity Act, enacted by Congress in 2021. The U.S. government stated in a court filing that it intends to start accepting applications for these grants in December. While the administration was compelled to reinstate the program, a judge ruled that the government cannot allocate funds based on the race or ethnicity of potential beneficiaries. However, the program can still award broadband grants based on factors such as income, age, and disability. The Digital Equity Act of 2021 authorized $2.75 billion for three grant programs designed to address disparities in broadband access. The Biden administration had initiated the distribution of $60 million in planning grants to states in 2022 and began accepting applications for the remaining funds in 2024. Former President Trump announced in May 2025 his intention to terminate these grant programs, asserting the Act was discriminatory and unconstitutional.