The Digital Equity Act Is About Universal, Meaningful Connectivity

A year ago today, President Trump abruptly “canceled” the Digital Equity Act (DEA) for being a “woke handout.” The DEA, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, directed funding to states, territories, and community organizations to address the Digital Divide and ensure that everyone has internet-enabled devices, reliable internet service, and the skills needed to use broadband to improve their lives. The goal: universal, meaningful connectivity. The President’s declaration brought to a halt years of considered and considerable work by states, counties, community organizations, national nonprofits, and a multitude of other stakeholders to understand and begin to solve the barriers to universal connectivity. Every state and territory had conducted surveys, held listening sessions, and crafted plans to close the Digital Divide. In October 2025, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), which won an award to ramp up its digital navigation work in 11 states, filed suit against the Administration in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that the cancellation of the award after funds had been appropriated was unconstitutional. If NDIA wins in court, it will be a victory for all DEA grants that were rescinded and the DEA programs in general. Universal, meaningful connectivity is not a partisan goal. The DEA is not about a political ideology.