Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
US judge temporarily blocks government-funded Trump campaign ads
A New York judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from spending Homeland Security money on a set of political videos.
The government had funded the videos through a $20 million contract with a private company, saying the spending was related to border security.
Common Cause and other groups argued that using public money for the videos broke a ban on government advertising or propaganda.
The videos feature President Donald Trump and warn of a supposed communist threat; one resembles a Trump campaign ad from 2024.
The order took effect immediately and lasts 14 days.
The administration had said shortly before the decision that the campaign was due to end on Sunday.
The dispute comes weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when voters will choose members of the House and about one-third of the Senate.
A New York judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from using Homeland Security funds for a series of government-funded campaign ads.
The 14-day order took effect immediately on Sunday evening.
The case was brought by a group including watchdog organization Common Cause, which argued that the ads violated a ban on using government funds for advertising or propaganda.
The government said the $20 million contract for the ads was justified by events related to border security.
The ads featured messages from Trump, including warnings about an alleged communist threat, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
- Who
- The Trump administration and Common Cause, part of a group that sought the court order.
- What
- A judge temporarily barred the administration from using Homeland Security funds to make or distribute the disputed ads.
- When
- The order was issued on Sunday evening and applies for 14 days.
- Where
- The ruling was issued by a judge in New York; the ads had aired on several TV channels in the United States.
- Why
- Common Cause argued that government funds were being used for advertising or propaganda, which it said was prohibited.
Trump administration
Common Cause
Purpose of spending
Trump administration
The government said the $20 million contract was justified by events related to border security.
Common Cause
Common Cause argued that the government violated a ban on using budget funds for advertising or propaganda.
development, creation, distribution, placement, dissemination, publication or broadcast
America will never be a communist country.
The Trump administration said the ad campaign was due to end that day.
Judge Jennifer Rochon issued an order immediately barring further use of Homeland Security funds for the ads for 14 days.
Voters are due to elect about one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives in the midterm elections.
- Contract value
- $20 million
- Funding source
- US Department of Homeland Security
- Order duration
- 14 days
- Judge
- Jennifer Rochon
- Midterm election date
- November 3
Sources
Related news
Judge orders Trump administration to stop taxpayer-funded TV ads
Strategist discusses how Trump's grievances and projects could affect GOP candidates
Trump faces questions over focus on living costs ahead of midterms
A Texas congressional district offers clues to the Latino vote
Trump and Rubio weigh firing US ambassador to Greece amid misconduct allegations
US green banks keep financing clean energy after federal funding cuts
California law gives households cash option instead of a new gas line
Trump has not decided whether to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
Vance doubts plan to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
Trump names Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary
Trump says he plans to buy Russian diesel to lower fuel prices
