From Law & Crime · · 1m 50s
Judge bars Trump admin from using taxpayer funds for partisan campaign ads
Federal court injunction stops Trump administration from using public funds for campaign ads.
In brief
Federal court injunction stops Trump administration from using public funds for campaign ads. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ruled Trump administration violated federal law by shifting $20 million in taxpayer funds to run partisan campaign ads, finding DHS likely breached the law. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Court ruling
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan found Trump administration violated federal law by shifting $20 million taxpayer funds to run partisan campaign ads.
DNC lawsuit
Democratic National Committee sued White House after it aired ads using funds originally approved for border security.
Government defense
White House argued plaintiffs couldn't meet standard for injunctive relief because ads stopped airing days before court hearing.
Plaintiffs' counter
Plaintiffs claimed ads continued being shared online and violated propaganda ban by using public funds for production.
Propaganda ban
Congressional funding bills prohibit appropriations from being used for 'publicity or propaganda purposes'.
Purpose statute
Court found Trump administration violated 'core tenet of appropriations law' under Purpose Statute and Antideficiency Act.
Administrative procedure act
Plaintiffs argued OMB and DHS violated Administrative Procedure Act by conducting unauthorized spending.
Government concession
Trump administration conceded merits of DNC's case without arguing against the claims.
Mootness argument
Government claimed changing conduct would prevent ongoing injury but court rejected this as mootness.
Broken promise
Trump administration promised to stop using taxpayer funds but ads continued airing for weeks.
Timeline of ads
Ads aired on October 6, 7, and 11-12 after government claimed they would stop using taxpayer funds.
Court order
Court granted temporary restraining order to stop ads and stay purchase order for ads.
Compliance deadline
Government has until Friday to provide status report on compliance with court order.
Next hearing
Next hearing in case scheduled for November 2.
The big picture
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ruled Trump administration violated federal law by shifting $20 million in taxpayer funds to run partisan campaign ads, finding DHS likely breached the law.
