Federal Judge Issues Mixed Ruling on Digital Equity Act Grants, Raising Concerns Over Race-Based Allocations
A federal judge has delivered a mixed ruling concerning the Digital Equity Act grants, a multibillion-dollar program established by Congress in 2021 to expand internet skills and access. While U.S. District Judge John D. Bates blocked President Trump's attempt to unilaterally terminate the program, he also agreed with the administration that using race or ethnicity as a basis for awarding money under the program was unconstitutional. This decision has left states and organizations, including the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), in limbo regarding the rollout of these grants. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which oversees the program, had previously halted grant programs in response to President Trump's executive orders characterizing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as illegal. Following the judge's ruling, federal attorneys stated that the competitive grant program would be reinstated without racial classification, with a new grant application exp...
