Judge halts Trump administration's taxpayer-funded ads

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 ordered the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded ads, including those set to air that night. The two-week order bars new or expanded deals to develop or air the challenged spots. DHS awarded LMD Agency $20 million for a National Media Campaign starting Sept. 20; a day earlier OMB granted CBP $20 million for OBBB Commemorative Events. Ads began late September; one nearly copies a 2024 Trump campaign ad. Rochon found plaintiffs likely to succeed on the merits and an injunction serves the public interest. Plaintiffs called the spots blatantly unlawful political propaganda with no justification for using Congress's funds to influence electoral outcomes. DOJ said Saturday the order was unnecessary because the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow; DHS said buys ran through Sunday with no further purchases planned. Holly Mehringer wrote the funds were available for commemorating border-security efforts and events. Trump on Oct. 5 defended the ads and pledged to self-fund them. Senate Democrats likened them to North Korean-style propaganda; Sens. John Thune and John Kennedy said taxpayer dollars should not pay for them. A hearing is set for Tuesday.