In another unhinged social media rant, President Donald Trump once again demonstrated that words really don’t mean anything anymore. This time, Trump directed his ire at a Biden-era program intended to bridge the digital divide. On Truth Social, Trump announced his intention to end the Digital Equity Act while labeling it as “racist” and “unconstitutional”.
In 2021, former president Joe Biden passed the Digital Equity Act as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provided $2.75 billion to establish three federal grant programs administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Per the agency, DEA’s aim is to ensure that everyone “[has] the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.” Think digital skills and workforce training, promoting high-speed internet access in rural and tribal areas, and improving accessibility for disabled people.
Per the New York Times, $60 million went to funding states’ and territories’ programs, including in rural areas like Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, and Kansas. But of course, anything from Biden’s administration can’t continue. On Thursday, Trump wrote that he and Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, were in agreement about the DEA. He wrote, “No more woke handouts based on race! The Digital Equity Program is a RACIST and ILLEGAL $2.5 BILLION DOLLAR giveaway.” He added that he plans to end it “IMMEDIATELY”.
There’s no need to give Trump an ounce of credence anytime he calls something racist. You wouldn’t entertain a member of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party telling you what constitutes anti-semitism, right? Or, to echo the words of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who authored the bill: “As usual, the President has no idea what he’s talking about.” That being said, it’s still important to note that the DEA only mentions race once when saying that the program can cover racial or ethnic minorities. The law also has a general nondiscrimination clause that mentions race, but that’s taken from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 so… Go beef with that.
In her statement, Murray added, “It’s absolutely insane that resources meant to help red and blue communities — everyone from local school districts and libraries to workforce training programs and Tribes — close the digital divide will be illegally blocked because the President doesn’t like the word equity. Americans are sick and tired of extremist right-wing culture wars being forced down our throats.”
The digital divide includes not only the ability to access devices or the internet but also a lack of skills to navigate them, poor infrastructure, etc. As more of our world moves online with tele-health appointments, digital applications for jobs or benefits, online schooling like during the pandemic, and etc, it’s a pressing issue. But since DEA is so young, it hasn’t had a chance to do much of anything yet. In fact, a chunk of funding announced on Jan. 6 and Jan. 17 of this year has yet to be distributed, and the Trump administration froze funding in April.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance was one group impacted by the freeze. In a statement, NDIA said that out of its subgrantees’ 13 programs waiting for funding, one would have served over 30,000 in the next five years alone. It added, “Now, a Truth Social post has put ours and 65+ other community-based digital trust inclusion programs at risk, and real people are about to pay the price.”
“This decision has no policy rationale and makes no economic sense,” the NDIA continued. “Cutting this funding will deepen the divide and force greater costs down the road.”
It’s not clear if Trump has taken any concrete steps to end the DEA outside of posting on social media. But as with his administration’s many other attempts to freeze federal funding, Trump’s decision could be taken up in court if he makes any further moves.
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