Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Judge orders Trump administration to stop government-funded ads
A federal judge on Sunday ordered the Trump administration to stop government-funded ads featuring the president.
The judge said the ads were likely unlawful.
The order covered ads scheduled to air later that day.
The administration had said the campaign was set to end on Sunday.
It argued that the judge did not need to intervene because the campaign was ending.
The ads must stop under the judge’s order.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cancel remaining television ads paid for with taxpayer money.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued a temporary restraining order on Sunday night in New York.
The Department of Homeland Security had allocated $20 million for the ads, which promoted Trump’s political message.
A coalition including watchdog group Common Cause challenged the ads, calling them an illegal use of public funds.
The administration had said the campaign was ending, and the White House said Trump’s political action committee would fund future ads.
- Who
- U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered the Trump administration to stop the ads. A coalition including Common Cause challenged them.
- What
- The judge ordered the administration to cancel remaining taxpayer-funded television ads and barred new agreements for their production or airing.
- When
- Sunday night, October 11, 2026.
- Where
- New York.
- Why
- The plaintiffs argued the ads were political propaganda and an illegal use of public funds.
Common Cause-led coalition
Trump administration
Purpose of the ads
Common Cause-led coalition
The coalition said the ads were political propaganda, not public service announcements.
Trump administration
The White House defended them as public service announcements promoting government policies.
Use of funds
Common Cause-led coalition
The coalition challenged the ads as an illegal misuse of taxpayer money.
Trump administration
The administration argued the order was unnecessary because the campaign was ending.
Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements
We won’t stop until this administration is held fully accountable, and no president from any party can waste and abuse taxpayer funds for propaganda ever again
positive promotion for our great USA
the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow
Publicly funded television ads featuring Trump began airing.
The administration filed a statement saying it was already planning to stop running the ads.
Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered the administration to cancel remaining ads and temporarily barred agreements authorizing them.
Trump said he considered the ads a positive promotion for the United States and that taxpayers would no longer fund them.
- Judge
- Jennifer L. Rochon
- Funding source
- Department of Homeland Security
- Amount allocated
- $20 million
- Order duration
- Two weeks
- Congressional funding package
- $175 million for the department’s immigration enforcement agenda
Sources
Federal judge orders pro-Trump TV ads funded by taxpayers off air immediately
Judge orders cancellation of Trump’s government-funded ads
US judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded ads featuring Trump
Judge orders Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads
Judge orders Trump administration to end taxpayer-funded TV ads
Related news
Trump and Rubio weigh firing US ambassador to Greece amid misconduct allegations
Fox News hosts clash over Trump’s Russian diesel decision
Van Jones says criticism of Abdul El-Sayed should focus on his policies
Trump’s plan to import Russian diesel draws bipartisan criticism
Corruption debate could shape midterm voting
South Carolina Senate candidates clash in only scheduled debate
US ambassador to Greece faces allegations over request for $100,000
Katie Zacharia to hold first news conference as White House press secretary
US Justice Department investigates five TV companies over alleged antitrust violations
Tillis says Trump’s Russian diesel deal may violate US law
Trump has not decided whether to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution
