# Judge Orders Trump Administration to Cancel Taxpayer TV Ads

> Federal judge mandates Trump administration cancel taxpayer-funded political TV ads.
- Title: Judge Orders Trump Administration to Cancel Taxpayer TV Ads
- Summary: Federal judge mandates Trump administration cancel taxpayer-funded political TV ads. A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cancel…
- Keywords: trump administration, taxpayer funds, political ads, federal judge, common cause, democracy forward, u.s. district court, dhs, border security, news, local, Judge
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/judge-orders-the-trump-administration-to-cancel-taxpayer-funded-promotional-tv-ads
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump administration, taxpayer funds, political ads, federal judge, common cause, democracy forward, u.s. district court, dhs, border security, news, local
## Federal judge orders cancellation
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in New York ordered Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting political message.

> Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements
## Administration claims ads end soon
White House stated the ad campaign was ending, arguing the temporary restraining order was unnecessary as the alleged offending conduct would end tomorrow.
## DHS funds used for ads
The Department of Homeland Security tapped $20 million in taxpayer money for the ads, which legal experts said violated federal statutes against using congressionally appropriated funds for publicity.
## Plaintiffs call ads unlawful
Plaintiffs from Democracy Forward stated there is no legal justification for the president to use government funds to influence electoral outcomes for his own agenda.
## DHS claims funds for border security
Senior DHS official Holly Mehringer wrote the money came from funds appropriated by Congress for commemorating border security events.
## Ads glorify Trump's message
The ads, which began airing in late September, glorify Trump and echo his political messaging going into midterms with clips of his speeches and campaigns.
## Trump plans to pay from campaign funds
Trump said he would start paying for the ads with a campaign account, while the White House stated there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government.
## Key takeaway

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads promoting his political message, citing illegal misuse of funds.