Judge Blocks Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads

A federal judge in Manhattan ordered the Trump administration to stop airing taxpayer-funded television ads featuring President Donald Trump and barred the Department of Homeland Security from spending additional money on the campaign. Judge Jennifer Rochon issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on Sunday, directing the administration to cancel scheduled ads and preventing new or expanded agreements. The campaign had a $20 million allocation, about $19 million of which had already been spent. The funding came from a congressional appropriation for immigration enforcement. The order followed a lawsuit filed on October 7 by a coalition that includes Common Cause and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ. The coalition argued that the ads used appropriated funds for unlawful political propaganda and sought an order even after government lawyers said the ads would stop airing after Sunday. Rochon found that the request was not moot, rejected the Justice Department’s challenge to the coalition’s legal standing, and said the plaintiffs were likely to prevail, faced irreparable harm without relief, and served the public interest by seeking an injunction. She also stayed a purchase order between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and contractor Lepugh Inc., doing business as LMD Agency Inc. A full opinion is expected. The ads, including one titled “The Country He Loves,” featured Trump and touted claimed accomplishments, while also displaying the message “AMERICA WILL NEVER BE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY.” Critics, including Sen. Maggie Hassan, said the campaign lacked a clear government purpose and could violate restrictions on using public funds to aid a political party or candidates. Democrats argued the ads could benefit Republicans in the November midterm elections. The Democratic National Committee filed a separate lawsuit challenging them. Trump said on October 5 that he or his super PAC, MAGA Inc., would pay for future ads, but the White House said he would not reimburse the government for ads already aired. The plaintiffs welcomed the court’s order, calling the spending unlawful political propaganda.

A federal judge in New York has temporarily barred the Trump administration from entering into, renewing, or expanding agreements to produce or air taxpayer-funded promotional advertisements featuring President Donald Trump. Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued the two-week restraining order on Sunday night, siding with a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause. The order applies despite the Justice Department’s argument that it was unnecessary because the advertising campaign was already expected to end. The ads began airing in late September and featured Trump promoting his policies while warning about communism and a “final battle” against “globalists.” They ended with a disclaimer identifying the US government as the payer. The Department of Homeland Security spent $20 million in taxpayer funds on the campaign. Legal experts and the plaintiffs contend that this may violate federal restrictions on using congressionally appropriated money for publicity or propaganda, as well as other laws. Trump described the ads as “rather standard” and a positive promotion for the United States, while saying they would no longer be taxpayer-funded. The White House said his political action committee would pay for future ads, but would not reimburse the public for advertisements that had already aired. The plaintiffs argued that government resources should not be used to influence electoral outcomes or advance the president’s political agenda. The coalition included a public employee union and a candidate for Alabama state representative, and was represented by Democracy Forward. Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomon said the group would continue seeking accountability and safeguards against taxpayer-funded political propaganda. The plaintiffs had sought an order before the ads could run during weekend programming. Democrats have also filed a separate challenge in federal court in Washington.

A Manhattan federal judge has temporarily barred the Trump administration from using taxpayer funds for television advertisements featuring President Donald Trump. The ads began airing in late September and were criticized as political propaganda intended to benefit Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, rather than as public service announcements. Watchdog group Common Cause, a public employee union and a candidate for Alabama state representative were among the plaintiffs who sued. They asked the court to block the ads before October 16, so they could not run during weekend broadcasts such as football games and Saturday Night Live. Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the temporary order on October 11. The administration had already said it planned to stop running the ads, according to a court filing submitted the previous day. Common Cause president and chief executive Virginia Kase Solomon said her organization would continue seeking accountability and preventing presidents from misusing taxpayer money for political propaganda. Trump described the advertisements as a “positive promotion” for the United States, while saying they would no longer be funded by taxpayers. The White House said his political action committee, MAGA PAC, would fund them going forward, but would not reimburse taxpayers for the ads that had already aired. The advertisements carried a disclaimer stating that they were paid for by the US government. The Justice Department did not immediately comment on the judge’s order. Democratic Party officials separately challenged the advertisements in a lawsuit in federal court in Washington. The ruling comes amid controversy over publicly funded political messaging in the weeks before the midterm elections.