US judge orders halt to taxpayer-funded promo ads of Trump

A federal court judge has ordered US President Donald Trump to cease any remaining television ads, funded by taxpayer money, aimed at promoting his political agenda. The ruling comes after such ads promoting Trump's policies and warning against communism aired on public television in late September, drawing bipartisan criticism.

The commercials conclude with a disclaimer indicating they are government-funded. New York District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon deemed the ads an unlawful misuse of funds, siding with a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog organization Common Cause. The judge instructed that defendants should not enter into, renew, or expand any agreements authorizing the creation, dissemination, or airing of the disputed advertisements during the two-week duration of her order.

The Justice Department had argued on Saturday that the temporary restraining order was unnecessary since the alleged offending conduct would cease the following day. The Department of Homeland Security allocated $20 million in taxpayer funds for the ads in question. Legal experts contend that the ads violate federal statutes against the use of congressionally appropriated money for publicity or propaganda.

Trump had previously deemed the ads standard and a positive promotion for the United States, but stated they would no longer be funded by taxpayers. The White House announced that Trump's political action committee would finance the remaining ads, but taxpayers would not be reimbursed for those already aired. The plaintiffs, comprising a public employee union and a candidate for Alabama state representative, urged the judge to halt the ads by Friday to prevent their airing during weekend programming, such as football games and Saturday Night Live.

Democrats have also challenged the ads in a separate lawsuit filed at a federal court in Washington.