Judge halts remaining taxpayer-funded Trump ads

A federal judge on Sunday, October 11, ordered the Trump administration to stop remaining taxpayer-funded television advertisements featuring President Donald Trump and barred new or expanded agreements for the campaign during a two-week period. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued the temporary restraining order at 6:45 p.m. EDT. It requires the administration to cancel remaining ad placements, including any scheduled for Sunday night, and prohibits the use of Department of Homeland Security funds to develop, distribute or air the challenged advertisements while the order is in effect. The order is temporary and does not decide whether the spending was unlawful. The case was brought by a coalition that includes watchdog group Common Cause, a labor union and an Alabama state legislative candidate. The plaintiffs alleged the ads used public money for political promotion and could influence elections. The White House has defended them as public-service announcements intended to promote the country and inform the public. Those competing claims remain before the court.