Federal judge halts Trump administration from airing government-funded election ads

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration on Sunday night to immediately stop airing government-funded advertisements featuring President Donald Trump. The ruling halted campaign-style spots that critics call unlawful political propaganda designed to influence the midterm elections.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the order in Manhattan. She found that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits. She determined the ads would cause irreparable harm without an injunction. The balance of equities and the public interest favored halting the broadcasts. The judge also ruled that the motion was not moot and that the plaintiffs had standing to proceed.

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition including the advocacy group Common Cause and the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ. They argued in U.S. District Court that the advertisements were designed to influence electoral outcomes using government resources.

"We are pleased the court acted swiftly to prevent more taxpayer dollars from being used for such blatantly unlawful political propaganda," the coalition said. The group added, "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." The coalition vowed to continue fighting the case to protect voter rights and democracy as the election approaches.

The advertisements were funded by a $20 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security. The campaign has aired during football games and on networks including CNN and MS NOW. One spot features the president warning of a "final battle." President Trump personally directed the White House budget director regarding the ads, and the White House has spent more than $440,000 on the spots.

The legal challenge extends beyond the Manhattan filing. The Democratic National Committee sued the administration on Wednesday, seeking to block the ads as well. While the administration has defended the advertisements as patriotic, officials have denied they are intended to sway voters. President Trump previously stated he would help pay for the ads following the Democratic lawsuit.