The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s termination of an entire congressionally mandated grant program under the Digital Equity Act is an unconstitutional overreach and strikes a blow to communities, leaving them cut off from basic online necessities
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s repeal of the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program. The suit argues that the administration’s unilateral decision to end the statutory program and terminate grant funding is unconstitutional and violates the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches as outlined in the Constitution.
“NDIA is taking the extraordinary step of suing the federal government for the 30,000 people who were counting on our Digital Navigator + program to help guide them through submitting job applications, accessing telehealth, attending classes, and staying safe online,” said Angela Siefer, executive director of NDIA. “Thousands more across the country stood to benefit from Digital Equity Act grants through other trusted community organizations. Let’s be very clear, the Digital Equity Act is not unconstitutional nor racist, it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support to ensure the United States can compete in today’s modern economy.”
The digital divide isn’t just a digital resource gap, it’s a civil rights crisis. For too many Black communities and other communities of color, the consequences of that divide are profound. Without meaningful internet access and the necessary skills to effectively engage, people across the country are unable to access vital resources, including healthcare, education, employment opportunities, and social services. Internet resources are critical lifelines for millions of Americans. Stripping away the Digital Equity Act ‘s funding will leave veterans, people with disabilities, rural, low-income and disproportionately Black and Brown communities further behind. As the late Congressman John Lewis reminded us, “Access to the internet… is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.”
“The Digital Equity Act provided necessary funding to ensure that every American can be connected, despite their background, zip code, or tax bracket, as the internet becomes inextricably linked to the continued progress of our country. It is increasingly impossible to participate in and contribute to American society and the economy without internet access. Beyond the internet being a place where we can connect, it is where we now learn and gain critical resources, making access essential,” said Leah Frazier, director of the Digital Justice Initiative at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The gutting of the Digital Equity Act is a concerning action that is beyond the authority of the Executive branch and serves to exacerbate inequity in our country.”
For decades, closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans have access to reliable and affordable internet connections has been a bipartisan priority. However, in May, Trump incorrectly asserted that the Digital Equity Act was unconstitutional, resulting in the Department of Commerce terminating the statute’s grant programs the following day.
“The Administration is cutting a program that improves the lives of millions of Americans and provides much-needed support, which continues to harm the most vulnerable among us,” said Gillian Cassell-Stiga, senior counsel of the Digital Justice Initiative at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The goal of the Digital Equity Act is to ensure that everyone has access to essential resources, whether it be access to employment, healthcare, or education.”
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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the nation’s leading lawyers as agents for change in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real. The Lawyers’ Committee implements its mission and objectives by marshaling the pro bono resources of the bar for litigation, public policy, advocacy and other forms of service by lawyers to the cause of civil rights. The Lawyers’ Committee convenes the national, nonpartisan Election Protection Coalition, which administers the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline.
About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with more than 2000 digital inclusion practitioners, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.
