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STATEMENT: NDIA Responds to Trump Post Calling for Immediate End of Digital Equity Act Funds [1]

['Angela Siefer']

Date: 2025-05-08 23:42:29+00:00

Today, President Trump shared a statement on Truth Social proclaiming the Digital Equity Act to be unconstitutional and therefore has determined to end the program immediately. The following statement can be attributed to Angela Siefer, Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA):

Calling the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional is not only incorrect — it hurts millions of Americans who need digital navigation support and home internet to find jobs, access healthcare, and compete in today’s modern economy. 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?

The Digital Equity Act was not an executive order issued at the whim of one individual. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress to help close the digital divide in rural, urban, and Tribal communities. 56 States and Territories are counting on the funds to implement essential programs across their states, and their work is already underway. NDIA is one of 65 projects recommended for award, and our subgrantees were prepared to launch 13 programs in 11 states beginning on March 1. NDIA’s shovel-ready project alone would have served over 30,000 people in the next five years. Despite signed agreements with the federal government, we were told to stop. Now, a Truth Social post has put ours and 65+ other community-based trusted digital inclusion programs at risk, and real people are about to pay the price.

That includes workers who need to apply for jobs online. Parents who need internet access for their children’s education. Small businesses and farmers who rely on technology to compete. Veterans, seniors, and families being scammed out of thousands of dollars because they lack the tools and training to protect themselves. The support they need is urgent. It should be happening now. This decision has no policy rationale and makes no economic sense. Cutting this funding will deepen the divide and force greater costs down the road.

We call on leaders in Congress and across the country to reject this shortsighted move. Digital equity is not partisan. It is essential.

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[1] Url: https://www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/statement-ndia-responds-to-trump-post-calling-for-immediate-end-of-digital-equity-act-funds/

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