New York judge orders temporary halt to taxpayer-funded pro-Trump TV ads
In short
US District Judge Jennifer Rochon ordered the Trump administration to stop airing challenged taxpayer-funded television ads immediately on October 11. The temporary restraining order requires remaining ads to be canceled and bars new, renewed or expanded advertising agreements during its two-week duration.
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US District Judge Jennifer Rochon in New York ordered the Trump administration on October 11 to cancel remaining taxpayer-funded television ads promoting President Donald Trump, including those scheduled for that evening. The temporary restraining order took effect at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time, CBS News reported. It bars the administration from entering into, renewing or expanding agreements for the challenged advertisements during its two-week duration. [ 8 , 13 ]
Rochon said the plaintiffs had demonstrated that they were likely to succeed on the merits, would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction and that an injunction served the public interest. NBC News reported that she also prohibited the use of funds appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security to develop, create, distribute or air the challenged ads. CNBC reported that she stayed an advertising purchase order between US Customs and Border Protection and contractor Lepugh Inc., doing business as LMD Agency Inc. [ 5 , 7 ]
The administration had said in a court filing that DHS, through a vendor, had bought advertising through October 11 and instructed the vendor not to purchase ads beyond that date. It argued the temporary order was unnecessary because the challenged conduct would end that day. Rochon rejected the argument that the scheduled end of the campaign made the request moot. CNBC reported that she also rejected the Justice Department's argument that the coalition lacked standing. [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]
The coalition filed its lawsuit on October 7 and includes Common Cause and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, according to CNBC. The Democratic National Committee filed a separate challenge the same day. ABC News reported that DHS allocated $20 million for the ads. Asked for comment, the White House referred ABC News to Trump's October 5 social media post defending the ads as standard and saying he would fund them through political fundraising. [ 5 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The ruling restricts the use of public funds for ads promoting President Donald Trump while the legal challenge proceeds. The Department of Homeland Security allocated $20 million for the campaign, according to ABC News.
Key facts
- Rochon ordered the administration to cancel remaining challenged ads, including those scheduled to air on October 11. [ 7 , 8 , 13 ]
- The temporary restraining order took effect at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time on October 11. [ 13 , 17 ]
- The order bars new, renewed or expanded agreements for the challenged ads during its two-week duration. [ 8 , 13 ]
- Rochon said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed and would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction. [ 5 , 7 ]
- The administration argued that an order was unnecessary because the campaign would end on October 11. [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]
- The plaintiffs include Common Cause and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, CNBC reported. [ 5 ]
- DHS allocated $20 million for the advertising campaign, according to ABC News and CBS News. [ 8 , 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The exact total amount spent on the ads is uncertain. CBS News reported an AdImpact tally of $21,705,138 by Monday morning but cautioned that the tracker might not reflect the exact total because the White House classified the ads as public service announcements.
- The final outcome of the legal challenge remains unresolved. The reported ruling is a temporary restraining order based on the plaintiffs' likelihood of success.
- The order bars new, renewed or expanded advertising agreements during its two-week duration. Reported by a single source so far
- DHS allocated $20 million for the advertising campaign. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 11, the temporary restraining order took effect, CBS News reported. [ 13 ]
- On October 11, NBC News reported the immediate cancellation order and the administration's argument that ad purchases would end that day. [ 7 ]
- On October 12, the Guardian reported that the temporary order was intended to remain in effect for at least 14 days. [ 17 ]