A federal judge in New York ordered the government on Friday to pull three taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads from television, government websites and social media. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ruled that the spots appeared to have been made for political or propaganda purposes, days before the midterm elections.
The three ads are titled “$5,000 to Americans,” “Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips” and “Cost of Socialism.” One promotes President Donald Trump’s claim that every American will receive $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress. Rochon sided with a coalition that included the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause.
Under the order, the ads must come off official government websites, including social media pages such as YouTube and Instagram. Rochon also ordered the cancellation of any plans to air or distribute them through authorised third parties, including Trump’s flagship super PAC, MAGA Inc.
The ruling expands a temporary restraining order Rochon issued two weeks earlier, when she banned a series of ads that glorified Trump and echoed his political messaging going into the midterms. The plaintiffs had asked for at least 13 ads to be removed. Rochon declined to pull several others, at least for now.
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis called the order lawless and said it stopped the administration from sharing patriotic videos. Rochon said she could reverse herself and restore the three ads, or ban additional ones, after hearing more evidence in the coming weeks. She noted she issued the order on a Friday afternoon and said the government had no reason to delay their immediate removal.
Source: Associated Press
