NEW YORK — A federal judge on October 11 ordered the Trump administration to stop additional placement of a taxpayer-funded television advertising campaign featuring President Donald Trump. The emergency order also restricts further government spending on the challenged advertisements while litigation continues.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon of the Southern District of New York issued a temporary restraining order after groups including Common Cause challenged the campaign. The advertising initiative involved approximately $20 million in federal funds allocated through the Department of Homeland Security, according to Associated Press reporting.
What the court ordered
The order lasts 14 days unless extended or changed. It directs the government not to authorize new or expanded arrangements to produce, distribute or air the disputed advertisements during that period and to halt remaining placements. It does not, by itself, settle whether all past spending violated the law or what remedies might be available in a final judgment.
The plaintiffs argue that money appropriated by Congress cannot be used for political promotion or unauthorized propaganda. They contend that the ads resembled campaign messaging despite being funded and labeled as government communications.
Administration response
Justice Department lawyers argued that emergency relief was unnecessary because the campaign was already scheduled to end. Trump previously indicated that his political organization could finance similar future advertising rather than continuing to use taxpayer money. Whether any money already spent will be repaid has not been established by the temporary order.
What happens next
The court will consider further proceedings on the plaintiffs’ legal claims. SNN will follow any later rulings, compliance filings and authoritative accounting for expenditures; a temporary restraining order should not be presented as a final finding of unlawful conduct.
Sources: Associated Press, October 12, 2026; Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2026; Federal court order (court docket PDF).
