Judge orders Trump's ads off air

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered the Trump administration to stop airing taxpayer-funded TV ads Sunday.

“we will cast out the communists, marxists and fascists. we will throw off the sick political class that hates our country. we will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate america from these villains once and all”

Ads cost $20 million

The Department of Homeland Security spent $20 million in taxpayer money on the ads over the past several weeks.

Ads were modified campaign spots

One ad was a slightly modified version of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign ad.

“we will cast out the communists, marxists and fascists. we will throw off the sick political class that hates our country. we will rout the fake news media, and we will liberate america from these villains once and all”

White House calls them public service

The White House defended the ads as public service announcements, not political ads.

Democrats sued over misuse

Democrats and a watchdog group sued, arguing the ads violated federal restrictions on using taxpayer funds for propaganda.

Trump says MAGA PAC will fund future ads

Trump said his MAGA super PAC would pay for future ads instead of using taxpayer money.

White House says no reimbursement

The White House stated there are no immediate plans to reimburse the government for the $20 million spent.

Judge canceled remaining ads

Rochon ordered any remaining ads canceled at 6:45 p.m. Eastern, several hours ahead of schedule.

Plaintiffs challenged ads as propaganda

Common Cause and other groups argued the ads functioned as political propaganda for Republican candidates in the November midterm elections.

Ads were scheduled to end Sunday

The ads were already scheduled to end Sunday night, but Rochon canceled any remaining spots early.

White House claims no call to action

The White House said the ads did not have a call to action and were not campaign ads.

Democrats called ads illegal misuse

Democrats criticized the ads as an 'egregious and illegal misuse' of taxpayer money.

Court halted ads for two weeks

The judge issued a two-week temporary restraining order to bar the administration from renewing ad contracts.

DHS committed $20 million

The Department of Homeland Security committed $20 million in taxpayer money to the campaign.

Common Cause seeks accountability

Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomon vowed continued accountability efforts.

DNC filed separate lawsuit

The Democratic National Committee also filed a lawsuit challenging the ads.