DNC sues to halt taxpayer-funded Trump ads

The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration in federal court on October 7, seeking to stop the use of taxpayer money for television advertisements featuring President Donald Trump and to have the spending declared unlawful. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges the ads violate federal restrictions on government spending for publicity or propaganda. No court has ruled on those allegations. The DNC says the advertisements promote Trump politically rather than serve an authorized government purpose. It asks the court to block further federal funding for their production and airing. The lawsuit names Trump, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget as defendants, and alleges that funds intended for Customs and Border Protection were redirected to the campaign with budget officials’ approval. Those claims remain for the court to assess. The ads began airing in September, as the November midterm elections approached and some states began early voting. They have included favorable portrayals of Trump and messages about his administration.