U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Columbus Day celebration in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, October 9, 2026.
Alex Wroblewski | Afp | Getty Images
A federal judge late Sunday ordered the Trump administration to immediately stop airing controversial government-funded ads that have been called propaganda and criticized as aimed at influencing the upcoming midterm elections.
The ads were funded by a $20 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security.
The coalition of plaintiffs that sued to block the continued broadcast of the ads in U.S. District Court in Manhattan includes the advocacy group Common Cause and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, headquartered in New York.
“The Court finds that (1) this motion is not moot, (2) Plaintiffs have standing, and (3) Plaintiffs have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits, that they will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction, that the balance of actions is tilted in their favor, and that an injunction serves the public interest,” Judge Jennifer Rochon wrote in her order.
The coalition, in a statement, said: “We are pleased that the court acted quickly to prevent more taxpayer money from being used for such blatantly illegal political propaganda.” »
“There is no legal justification – and no precedent – for the President to use the machinery of government and funds set aside by Congress for other purposes to influence election results that advance his own agenda,” the coalition said, referring to President Donald Trump. “As this case moves forward and voters make their voices heard in this election, we will work to ensure that the rule of law continues to be upheld, protecting voters’ rights and our democracy.”
This is developing news. Check back for updates.
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