# 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.
- Title: Judge bars Trump admin from using taxpayer funds for partisan…
- Summary: Federal court injunction stops Trump administration from using public funds for campaign ads. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ruled Trump administration…
- Keywords: dhs, trump administration, omb, dnc, federal court, taxpayer funds, partisan campaign ads, administrative law, injunction, white house, crime, news
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/conceded-the-merits-judge-issues-injunction-barring-trump-admin-from-using-taxpayer-funds-for-partisan-campaign-ads-finds-dhs-likely-violated-the-law
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dhs, trump administration, omb, dnc, federal court, taxpayer funds, partisan campaign ads, administrative law, injunction, white house, crime, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.