Federal judge orders administration to halt taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting Trump

A federal judge in New York on Sunday night ordered the Trump administration to cancel any remaining television commercials funded with taxpayer money that promote President Donald Trump's political message, according to ABC7 News Bay Area.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon granted a temporary restraining order sought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, the outlet reported. The groups argue the ads are an unlawful use of public funds. The order, which lasts two weeks, directs the administration to pull any ads still scheduled, including those set to run Sunday night, and bars officials from entering, renewing or expanding agreements to produce or air the commercials.

The ruling came as the administration said the campaign was already winding down. In a filing late Saturday, the Justice Department told the court an order was not needed because the disputed conduct was set to end the next day, ABC7 News Bay Area reported.

According to the outlet, the Department of Homeland Security spent $20 million in taxpayer funds on the ads. In a court declaration, senior DHS official Holly Mehringer said the money came from congressionally appropriated funds that can be used in part for commemorating border security efforts and events. Legal experts have said the spending may have broken a federal law barring appropriated funds from being used for publicity or propaganda, the outlet reported.

The White House has described the commercials as public service announcements similar to those used by earlier administrations to promote policies. ABC7 News Bay Area noted that, unlike many past announcements, these ads do not direct the public toward specific government programs. The ads began airing in late September and echo Trump's messaging ahead of the midterm elections. One includes a clip of Trump discussing the threat of communism, another replays an ad from his last presidential campaign, and a fifth, which began airing Tuesday, highlights the administration's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Asked for comment, the White House pointed to an Oct. 5 social media post in which Trump called the ads "rather standard" but said he would cover their cost with political fundraising money, the outlet reported. A White House official said there were no immediate plans to repay the government for money already spent.

The spending has drawn criticism from both parties. "It shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars," Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, told reporters, according to ABC7 News Bay Area.

The plaintiffs, represented by the nonprofit legal group Democracy Forward, welcomed the ruling in a statement. The Democratic National Committee has filed a separate lawsuit against the administration over the ads.

Compiled by True News from reporting by ABC7 News Bay Area, ABC11, 6abc Action News and ABC7 Los Angeles. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/80