Judge orders Trump administration to immediately stop taxpayer-funded TV ads

A federal judge in New York has directed the Trump administration to halt television advertisements funded by the Department of Homeland Security that feature President Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued a temporary restraining order on October 11, 2026, that bars the department from continuing to air the spots and from spending additional funds from a $20 million allocation approved by Congress for immigration enforcement. Approximately $19 million of the allocation had already been used. The order remains in effect for 14 days unless extended and requires cancellation of any remaining scheduled broadcasts, including those planned for Sunday evening. The advertisements have carried the on-screen notation "Paid for by the U.S. Government."

The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is representing the administration in the litigation, had informed the court the previous day that the advertisements would not continue past Sunday. Judge Rochon determined that this representation did not render the request for a restraining order moot. She also rejected the government’s argument that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the challenge. In the order, the judge concluded that the plaintiffs had demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, a risk of irreparable harm absent the order, and that the injunction would serve the public interest. The ruling further prohibits the administration from entering new contracts or expanding existing ones related to the campaign and stays a purchase order between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and contractor Lepugh Inc., doing business as LMD Agency Inc. A full written opinion is expected shortly.

The advertisements began airing several weeks earlier. One spot, titled “The Country He Loves,” contains rapid sequences of images and video of President Trump accompanied by text listing administration priorities, including “Largest Tax Cuts in History,” “Reigniting American Manufacturing,” and “Defend Law and Order and Police.” The phrase “AMERICA WILL NEVER BE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY” appears repeatedly on screen. Congress had appropriated the funds specifically for immigration enforcement activities.

A coalition of plaintiffs filed suit on October 7, 2026, in Manhattan federal court. The group includes the advocacy organization Common Cause and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which is based in New York City. The Democratic National Committee filed a separate action the same day. In court filings, the coalition stated that appropriated funds had been used for the advertisements and argued that such use was unlawful. The plaintiffs contended that the administration’s statement that broadcasts would end Sunday did not eliminate the need for judicial relief because some advertisements remained scheduled. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ruling. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On September 24, 2026, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., wrote to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles regarding one of the advertisements, stating that it lacked a clear official government purpose and appeared inconsistent with federal restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for activities intended to aid a political party or candidates. On October 5, President Trump stated that future advertisements would be paid for by him or his super PAC, MAGA Inc. The White House subsequently indicated that the federal government would not be reimbursed for costs already incurred.

The coalition issued a statement after the order, expressing satisfaction that the court had acted to prevent further expenditure of the allocated funds. The statement asserted that no legal precedent supports the use of government resources and congressionally designated funds to influence electoral outcomes. The administration has maintained that the advertisements fall within the scope of the immigration enforcement appropriation and has not presented a substantive defense of the content in the filings reviewed by the court to date.

The November midterm elections will determine control of both chambers of Congress. The advertisements have been the subject of public statements from members of both parties, with Democrats describing them as designed to benefit Republican candidates and the administration describing them as informational regarding enforcement priorities. Judge Rochon’s order does not address the separate Democratic National Committee lawsuit.