Judge orders Trump administration to stop taxpayer funded television ads

A federal judge in Manhattan ordered the Trump administration on Sunday night to immediately stop airing taxpayer funded television advertisements that feature President Donald Trump. US District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued a temporary restraining order halting the commercials. CNBC, UPI, msnbc.com, AP News, and Japan Today reported on the legal decision. [2][3][4][6][7]

The order went into effect at 6:45 p.m. EDT and will remain active for 14 days during ongoing litigation, according to UPI. Judge Rochon, a Biden appointee, stated in her four-page order that the coalition challenging the ads demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of their case. CNBC and msnbc.com noted that critics and watchdogs called the ads government propaganda intended to influence the upcoming November midterm election. [2][3][4]

The legal challenge was brought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, msnbc.com reported. The Daily Mail reported that the Department of Homeland Security spent 20 million dollars on the campaign. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Democratic National Committee also filed a federal lawsuit alleging the administration illegally used 20 million dollars in public funds to air political propaganda. [1][4][11]

According to msnbc.com, the judge ordered the administration to cancel remaining television commercials even as officials said the ad campaign was already coming to an end. [4]