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DNC and Common Cause sue Trump administration over taxpayer-funded TV ads
En breve
The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration on Wednesday in federal court in Washington, alleging that government-funded TV ads promoting President Trump are illegal propaganda that he personally directed. A coalition including the watchdog Common Cause filed a separate suit the same day. The ads have cost more than $12 million so far, according to AdImpact, with $20 million in Homeland Security funding tapped for the campaign.
Leer la noticia completa 2 min de lectura
The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump's administration over a series of taxpayer-funded television advertisements, alleging they are illegal government-sponsored propaganda and accusing Trump of personally directing them. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asks the court to declare the ads illegal and stop the use of federal funds to pay for them. Later the same day, a coalition including the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause filed a separate lawsuit, also alleging an illegal misuse of funds, the Associated Press reported. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 10 ]
The DNC's suit cites a ban on congressionally appropriated money being used for "publicity or propaganda purposes," and, according to NBC News, also cites the Anti-Deficiency Act and the Purpose Statute. The complaint says "President Trump personally directed this illegal activity," that the White House crafted the campaign, that the Office of Management and Budget shifted $20 million to pay for it and that U.S. Customs and Border Protection carried it out, The Guardian reported. The DNC argues the spending deprives it "of a fair electoral process by adding public funds to the resources available to support Republican candidates." NBC News reported that the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget are named as defendants along with Trump and the White House. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
The ads, which began airing in September, have cost more than $12 million to run, according to media tracking firm AdImpact, and $20 million in Homeland Security Department funding has been tapped for them. Axios reported that, according to the suit, Trump hand-picked the ads, which aired during NFL and college football games. The Hill reported that one ad uses the song "Love Me" by the artist JMSN, who said it was used without his permission. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 ]
On Monday Trump defended the ads as "positive promotion for our Great U.S.A." and said his MAGA Inc. super PAC would pay for them going forward. On Tuesday, however, a fifth ad promoting Trump's military actions in Venezuela began airing with the notice "paid for by the U.S. Government," and Trump told reporters "we'll decide" on reimbursing money already spent. The Guardian reported that the White House said the PAC would not reimburse taxpayers for money already spent. Axios reported that Trump said he would help pay for the ads after the suit was filed. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
DNC Chair Ken Martin said Trump is misusing taxpayer dollars in "a last-ditch attempt to save Republicans in November." The White House defended the ads as public service announcements, noting that previous administrations of both parties used taxpayer-funded advertising, Axios reported, and it referred The Hill and NBC News to Trump's Truth Social post when asked about the lawsuits. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
Por qué importa
The lawsuits are the first legal challenges to the ads, which have drawn bipartisan criticism less than a month before the November midterm elections, according to the Associated Press. Both complaints ask federal judges to stop federal funds being used for the ads, and the DNC argues the spending puts Democratic candidates at an electoral disadvantage.
Datos clave
- The DNC filed its complaint on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 11 ]
- A coalition including the watchdog group Common Cause filed a separate lawsuit alleging an illegal misuse of funds. [ 1 , 10 ]
- The DNC alleges the ads violate a congressional ban on using appropriated funds for "publicity or propaganda purposes" and accuses Trump of personally directing them. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 11 ]
- The ads, which began airing in September, have cost more than $12 million, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 11 ]
- A total of $20 million in Homeland Security Department funding has been tapped to pay for the ads. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- A fifth ad, promoting Trump's military actions in Venezuela, began airing Tuesday labelled as paid for by the U.S. government. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 11 ]
- Trump said Monday he would pay for the ads through his MAGA Inc. super PAC going forward. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- The DNC sued the Trump administration on Wednesday in federal court in Washington over the taxpayer-funded ads. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
- The complaint alleges a violation of the ban on using appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
- Common Cause filed a separate lawsuit on the same day. [ 1 , 10 ]
- The ads have cost more than $12 million, according to AdImpact. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 11 ]
- Trump said Monday that MAGA Inc. would pay for the ads going forward. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
- Ads continued to air labelled as paid for by the U.S. government after Trump's announcement. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- Whether the government will be reimbursed for ads already aired. Trump told reporters "we'll decide"; The Guardian reported the White House said the PAC would not reimburse; Axios reported Trump said he would help pay after the suit was filed.
- Which budget the $20 million came from. Outlets describe it as a Homeland Security contract or funding, funding earmarked for Customs and Border Protection, or money shifted by the Office of Management and Budget, per the complaint.
- How the courts will respond to the requests to block the ads. The documents report only the filings; no ruling is mentioned.
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- The Associated Press reports two lawsuits challenging the taxpayer-funded ads. [ 1 ]
- Bloomberg reports the DNC complaint filed in federal court in Washington. [ 3 ]
- Axios reports Trump said he will help pay for the ads after the DNC suit. [ 4 ]
- NBC News reports the suit's legal claims and the separate Common Cause suit. [ 10 ]