A federal judge in New York ordered the Trump administration on Sunday, October 11, 2026, to immediately stop airing new television advertisements featuring the president. The order, which took effect at 6:45 p.m. EDT, requires the government to cancel any remaining ad reservations and prohibits the disbursement of additional funds for the campaign. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the two-week temporary restraining order after finding that a legal challenge to the ads was likely to succeed.
The lawsuit was brought by a coalition including the nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, labor unions, and an Alabama state house candidate. They alleged the administration unlawfully used nearly $20 million in taxpayer funds, originally appropriated by Congress for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for "political propaganda" intended to influence the 2026 midterm elections. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and its Wisconsin branch have filed separate lawsuits regarding the same matter.
The administration argued that a court order was unnecessary because the ad campaign was scheduled to conclude on Sunday. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials stated in court filings that the funds were drawn from money available for "commemorating efforts and events related to border security." The Justice Department further contended that the plaintiffs would not face irreparable harm and that the lawsuit was filed in an improper jurisdiction. However, the government's filings did not primarily focus on defending the legality of the advertisements themselves.
The ad campaign, which began in late September 2026, consists of at least five different commercials. One ad features clips of President Trump demeaning communism and crediting himself for tax cuts, while another focuses on the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The White House has characterized the spots as public service announcements (PSAs) similar to those used by past administrations, noting that the president is not on the ballot. Conversely, some Republican lawmakers like Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) have questioned the use of public funds for ads that echo political messaging.
The ruling directly affects the Department of Homeland Security and its sub-agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, by halting a $20 million expenditure of taxpayer funds. This total represents a significant use of federal resources for a media campaign—roughly equivalent to $20 million over a three-week period starting September 20. For ordinary taxpayers, the outcome determines whether federal money designated by Congress for border security functions can be legally redirected to media placements featuring the sitting president during an election cycle.
The immediate change for the public was the disappearance of these commercials from television lineups as of Sunday evening. Beyond the immediate broadcast, the case addresses how the "publicity or propaganda" statute is applied to executive branch communications. If the courts permanently find these ads to be illegal propaganda, it could restrict how future administrations use agency budgets for national media campaigns that feature political figures. The artist JMSN, whose music was used without his authorization, is among the private individuals whose intellectual property rights are entangled in the dispute.
The temporary restraining order is set to expire in two weeks, around October 25, 2026. Before that date, the court will likely hold further hearings to determine if a more permanent injunction is warranted. While the administration previously indicated the campaign would end October 11, the judge’s order also prohibits the government from entering into new or expanded agreements for these ads. President Trump stated on social media that he would begin paying for the ads using campaign funds, though the White House has not yet confirmed plans to reimburse the government for the $20 million already committed.