Rural Americans Wait After Judge Delivers Mixed Ruling on Digital Equity Dollars

A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump can’t unilaterally kill the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act, but he also sided with the administration by saying using race as a factor in awarding the grants is unconstitutional. The split decision has halted digital-skills programs for ethnic and racial minorities.

By: Sarah Jane Tribble

Outlets: KFF Health News

Published: September 10, 2026

Words: 1,294

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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A federal judge in July gave digital equity advocates a partial victory against President Donald Trump, stopping his attempt to unilaterally kill a multibillion-dollar grant program Congress created.

But U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, in a 35-page opinion, also agreed with the administration that it was unconstitutional for the government to use race or ethnicity as the basis to award money under a program created to expand internet skills and access.

“It was …

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