Court Restrains Trump Administration Over $20m Taxpayer-Funded Ads

A US federal judge has temporarily barred President Donald Trump’s administration from producing or airing television advertisements promoting the president with public funds, following mounting criticism from both sides of the political divide.

US District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the order on Sunday, directing the administration to halt any remaining advertisements for 14 days. The decision comes just weeks before the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.

US media reports indicate that the administration spent $20 million from Department of Homeland Security funds on the pro-Trump advertisements.

Under the temporary restraining order, the administration is prohibited from entering into, renewing or expanding agreements connected to the production and broadcast of the disputed adverts.

“Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements,” Rochon said.

The plaintiffs maintained that the advertisements violated federal restrictions governing the use of public funds, arguing that they “exceed the purposes authorized by Congress and violate restrictions on publicity and propaganda.”

Democracy Forward, the nonprofit legal organisation representing the plaintiffs, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a necessary step to prevent further expenditure on what it called unlawful political messaging.

“We are pleased the court acted swiftly to prevent more taxpayer dollars from being used for such blatantly unlawful political propaganda,” the plaintiffs said in a statement.

“There is no legal justification — and no precedent — for the president to use the machinery of the government and funds set aside by Congress for other uses to influence electoral outcomes that further his own agenda.”

Despite not being a candidate in the November elections, Trump has been actively campaigning for Republican contenders, hoping to strengthen his party’s chances of retaining control of Congress.

The White House, however, has defended the advertisements, insisting they were public service announcements.

One of the commercials, which aired in late September, featured a song saying “Love Me” while Trump declared that “America will never be a communist country.”

A separate advert showed Trump walking through a hallway in black-and-white footage as he warned of a “final battle.” The message “Paid for by the US Government” appeared on the screen.

The campaign has provoked opposition from Democrats and concerns among some Republicans. Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper labelled the advertisements “illegal” and “propaganda,” while several senior Republicans voiced reservations.

Trump had indicated in a Truth Social post last week that he and his political campaign would cover the cost of the advertisements promoting him. However, the White House later clarified to AFP that the post “was not referring to reimbursement.”

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