NATOA signs on to NDIA v. Trump Amicus Brief on loss of Digital Equity Act funding
The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) signs on to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance v. Trump Amicus Brief on loss of Digital Equity Act funding, May 12, 2026.
Cheryl Leanza, Policy Advisor to the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, coordinated an amicus brief for organizations to support National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s suit against the Trump Administration for canceling the Digital Equity Act with legal representation from the Erik Stallman, Associate Director of the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at UC Berkeley School of Law.
The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) signs on to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance v. Trump Amicus Brief as the local government association supporting our members by advocating for broadband deployment, digital equity, cable services, Public, Educational and Governmental Access (PEG) Television, public safety communications and the preservation of local authority in our public rights of way. NATOA sought to sign on to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance v. Trump Amicus Brief to support for NDIA’s position challenging the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program.
- Please see our discussion of NATOA's DECGP application in NATOA's 2025 Policy & Legal Committee Accomplishments at: https://www.natoa.org/policy-and-legal-committee-accomplishments
- Also, NATOA filed comments in NTIA 'Listening Session on BEAD Program Funds' on February 23, 2026, see https://www.natoa.org/news/natoa-comments-on-ntia-listening-session.
- NATOA also filed comments in NTIA's Digital Equity Act RFC on May 1, 2023, see https://www.natoa.org/news/natoa-files-comments-in-ntias-digital-equity-act-request-for-comments .
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance v. Trump, 1:25-cv-03606, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47040/
See the complaint/lawsuit to challenge the unilateral repeal by the Executive Branch of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, which Congress required under the Digital Equity Act of 2021 (the “Act”).
See the amicus brief written by the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at UC Berkeley School of Law, joined by 22 total organizations, along with the UCC Media Justice’ discussion of the issues and what the brief argues.
“One year ago, President Trump declared the Digital Equity Act “unconstitutional” and “racist and illegal” in a post on Truth Social. The next day, the Department of Commerce sent cancellation letters to every grantee.
"Trump’s claim is false. The Digital Equity Act is a bipartisan law passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. It funds digital literacy training, device access, and technical support for rural communities, veterans, seniors, incarcerated people, people with disabilities, and communities of color. The president does not get to repeal a law by posting about it.
"The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is suing to stop the illegal cancellation. UCC Media Justice is supporting that effort by coordinating an amicus brief written by the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic at UC Berkeley School of Law, joined by 22 total organizations.
"Congress authorized these projects. NTIA reviewed and recommended them. Community organizations committed their own resources. The administration killed them with a social media post.
"Not only are we working in court, but we’re also advocating in Congress. The Trump Administration also zeroed out the Digital Equity Act appropriation in its proposed budget. If appropriators go along with that, even a legal victory in court could be hollow. Congress needs to keep the money in the budget, and we are working with our allies to make sure they do that." - (by Cheryl Leanza, May 13, 2026 Blog)