Judge blocks Trump's campaign ads

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in New York ordered President Donald Trump to cancel television commercials paid for with taxpayer money promoting his political message on Sunday night.

Twenty million dollars in question

The Department of Homeland Security tapped twenty million dollars in taxpayer money for the ads, which began airing in late September and featured Trump's political messaging.

Coalition challenged the spending

A coalition including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause challenged the ads as an illegal misuse of funds. Judge Rochon sided with them in granting a temporary restraining order.

What the judge ordered

Judge Rochon ordered the administration not to enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the ads during the two-week duration of her order.

“Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements”

Trump says he'll pay himself

Trump defended the ads as standard but said he would pay for them from his political fundraising amid backlash. The White House said there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government.

Legal experts cite federal law

Legal experts suggested the spending violated a federal statute against congressionally appropriated money being used for publicity or propaganda and potentially other laws.

Democratic challenge continues

The Democratic National Committee has separately sued the Republican administration over the ads. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, said the ads should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

“It shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars”