Judge blocks pro-Trump TV ads from running on taxpayers’ dime
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon ruled Monday that Trump administration TV ads, funded through Department of Homeland Security border security money, likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act by serving as “publicity or propaganda.” The 40-page order noted one ad, nearly identical to a 2024 campaign spot, featured Trump promising to “demolish the deep state” and “rout the fake news media” while offering, in the judge's words, no information about DHS's official functions.
The suit was brought by Common Cause, two labor unions and an Alabama state house candidate, who argued $20 million in budget maneuvering funded “overtly political” ads. The administration did not contest that taxpayer funds paid for the ad placements or dispute that doing so violated appropriations law; it argued instead that the case was moot since it had already agreed to shift funding to right-wing PACs going forward.
The White House, asked for comment, pointed to a Trump Truth Social post calling the ads “positive promotion for our great U.S.A.” A separate suit from the Democratic National Committee is pending in Washington, D.C., alleging the ads amount to an unlawful attempt to prop up Republican poll numbers before the midterms.
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