A federal judge in New York issued a temporary restraining order halting taxpayer-funded television ads promoting President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections. The order requires the administration to cancel remaining portions of a $20 million advertising purchase.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily halt the broadcast of taxpayer-funded television ads promoting President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. US District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon of the Southern District of New York issued the temporary restraining order effective 6:45pm ET on Sunday, requiring it to stay in effect for at least 14 days.
Judge Rochon directed that the administration “shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the … advertisements.” The order also mandates the cancellation of the remaining portion of a $20 million advertising purchase, halting further spending on the campaign.
The ruling came in response to a legal challenge filed by government watchdog Common Cause, Alabama state house Democratic candidate Robert Hunter, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, and the union’s political action committee, Empire State 32BJ SEIU PAC. The plaintiffs named the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Executive Office of the President (EOP) as defendants. According to Democracy Docket, the lawsuit also named Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, OMB Director Russell Vought, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
The plaintiffs argued that the administration was using public funds to influence elections, stating: “In short, lacking any legal basis, and in the face of explicit legal prohibitions, defendants are attempting to skew midterm and state elections by using taxpayer dollars to run publicity and propaganda.” They contended the ads were a “blatant abuse of authority.”
In her ruling, Rochon stated that the plaintiffs “have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits, will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction, the balance of the equities tips in their favor, and an injunction serves the public interest.”
The Justice Department had argued that a temporary restraining order was unnecessary because “the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow.” However, Rochon rejected this argument, ruling that the administration’s stated intention to stop the ads did not render the request moot. Senior DHS official Holly Mehringer wrote in a court declaration that the money came from funds appropriated by Congress that are “available for, among other things, ‘commemorating efforts and events related to border security.’”
According to media tracking firm AdImpact, the ads have cost taxpayers more than $12 million. However, a government filing cited by KSHB and CNBC states that the administration has already spent $19 million of the $20 million allocated. The ads have aired on major networks including ABC, CNN, NBC, Fox News, CBS, and MS NOW.
President Trump defended the ads in a post on his Truth Social platform on October 5, saying he considered them “to be a positive promotion” for the US. He stated, “paying for them with [USA] money … is a rather standard thing to do,” but claimed he would fund them himself with money raised by his Make America great again political movement. A White House official confirmed there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government for money already spent.
The campaign drew criticism from both parties. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters, “It shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars.” The Democratic National Committee filed a separate lawsuit against the administration on October 7, asking a Washington DC judge to halt the use of taxpayer money to promote the president.
The ruling highlights the legal boundaries regarding the use of federal appropriations for political messaging. The plaintiffs argued that the expenditures exceeded the purposes authorized by Congress and violated restrictions on publicity and propaganda. Judge Rochon’s decision to issue the restraining order despite the administration's claim that the ads were ending underscores the court's view that the potential for future misuse of funds and the harm to the electoral process required immediate judicial intervention.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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