{"id":2599574,"date":"2026-05-06T15:53:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-strikes-down-biden-era-fcc-digital-equity-rules\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T15:59:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:59:34","slug":"appeals-court-strikes-down-biden-era-fcc-digital-equity-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-strikes-down-biden-era-fcc-digital-equity-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Appeals court strikes down Biden-era FCC &#8216;digital equity&#8217; rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fappeals-court-strikes-down-biden-era-fcc-digital-equity-rules%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2599574&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/full-appeals-court-to-review-paused-trump-troop-deployment-to-portland\/\" title=\"Full ... ... to review paused Trump troop deployment to Portland\">appeals court vacated<\/a> the Biden governance\u2019s FCC \u201cdigital equity\u201d rules, ruling they improperly targeted broadband providers in ways the court found could amount to prohibited discrimination.FCC Chairman Brendan carr celebrated the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit\u2019s decision, saying the regulations would have required providers to discriminate based on race and other protected traits and that \u201cnondiscrimination prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Carr had opposed the rules when the FCC adopted them in 2023 and argued they were unconstitutional, pointing to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act\u2019s instruction to prevent \u201cdigital discrimination\u201d based on protected characteristics like race and income. The court applied the Supreme Court\u2019s 2024 *Loper Bright* framework, meaning judges rather then agencies must interpret ambiguous rules under the current doctrine.<\/p>\n<p>The ruling requires the FCC to create a new regulation that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/denver-teaching-english-is-racist\/\" title=\"Denver \u2014 English language instruction perpetuates systemic racism\">promotes equal access<\/a> to broadband without engaging in discrimination. Parties to the case have 45 days to seek reconsideration. The decision also follows other FCC actions critics say are tied to DEI concerns, including recent scrutiny of Disney\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-takes-unprecedented-action-against-disney-in-response-to-jimmy-kimmels-melania-trump-comment-report\/\" title=\"... Takes &#039;Unprecedented&#039; Action Against Disney in Response to Jimmy Kimmel&#039;s Melania Trump Comment: Report\">broadcast license renewals<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/appeals-courts\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1537\">appeals court<\/a> vacated the Biden administration\u2019s \u201cdigital equity\u201d rules for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/federal-communications-commission\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1637\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> on Wednesday as the federal agency targets <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dei\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3088\">diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/a> policies.<\/p>\n<p>FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who is leading the commission\u2019s anti-DEI crusade, celebrated the ruling handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4557205\/louise-lucas-office-raided-by-fbi\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democratic Virginia state senator\u2019s office raided by FBI<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4556991\/nevada-discord-lawsuit-online-sexual-predators\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nevada sues Discord over online sexual predator concerns<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4556770\/rhode-island-judge-refers-doj-lawyer-investigation\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rhode Island judge refers DOJ lawyer for investigation after failing to share full case details<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cThose regulations would have required broadband providers &#038; others to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, &#038; other protected characteristics,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BrendanCarrFCC\/status\/2052068350193209827\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BrendanCarrFCC\/status\/2052068350193209827\">posted on X<\/a>. \u201cNondiscrimination prevails.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Carr noted he had disagreed with the Biden administration when the FCC adopted the \u201cunlawful\u201d rules in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DOC-398477A3.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DOC-398477A3.pdf\">dissenting statement<\/a> when he was only an FCC commissioner, Carr criticized the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/biden-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"445\">Biden administration<\/a> for exerting too much control over broadband providers and argued the move was unconstitutional. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"31\">Congress<\/a> passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 and directed the FCC to adopt rules that prevent \u201cdigital discrimination of [broadband] access based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Carr was one of two commissioners who voted against the digital equity rules, contributing to the final 3-2 vote. The commission traditionally has five members, but it currently only has three.<\/p>\n<p>A three-judge panel from the appeals court applied the standard established by the Supreme Court\u2019s 2024 decision in <em>Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo<\/em>, which overruled the Chevron doctrine that allowed courts to defer to federal agencies for interpreting ambiguous rules. The court\u2019s current jurisprudence now requires judges to interpret the rules themselves.<\/p>\n<p>The final rule was adopted before the landmark <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"203\">Supreme Court<\/a> ruling. Additionally, Carr cited a more recent court decision as influential in the appeals court\u2019s ruling.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis new decision follows the Supreme Court\u2019s decision last week making clear that intentional discrimination is unlawful,\u201d he said of the high court\u2019s ruling that restricts race-based redistricting.<\/p>\n<p>Parties to the litigation, including the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.benton.org\/blog\/eighth-circuit-vacates-fcc-digital-discrimination-rules\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.benton.org\/blog\/eighth-circuit-vacates-fcc-digital-discrimination-rules\">Benton Institute for Broadband and Society<\/a>, have 45 days from Wednesday\u2019s decision to file a petition with the three-judge panel or the full court to reconsider.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4549887\/brendan-carr-fcc-review-disney-broadcast-license-dei-kimmel\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4549887\/brendan-carr-fcc-review-disney-broadcast-license-dei-kimmel\/\">CARR SAYS FCC REVIEW OF DISNEY\u2019S BROADCAST LICENSES IS ABOUT DEI, NOT KIMMEL\u2019S TRUMP JOKES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, the appeals court said the FCC must create a new rule that helps \u201cfacilitate equal access to broadband internet access service\u201d without engaging in discrimination.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has recently placed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/disney\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2953\">Disney<\/a> in its crosshairs over alleged DEI policies by requiring the company to file early license renewal applications for its ABC broadcast stations. Carr insists the order only targets unlawful discrimination, but critics have noted it came shortly after late-night show host <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jimmy-kimmel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"570\">Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> joked about President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> before the assassination attempt last month. Kimmel\u2019s network is ABC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>8th Circuit vacates Biden FCC \u201cdigital equity\u201d rules over DEI<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2599575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25265595226498.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32324,32502,79224,79223,16609],"class_list":["post-2599574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-appeals-court","tag-biden-administration","tag-broadband-policy","tag-digital-equity","tag-fcc"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25265595226498.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599574"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2599578,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599574\/revisions\/2599578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2599575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}