US judge temporarily blocks taxpayer-funded ads praising Trump ahead of midterms
A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using taxpayer money to fund television advertisements praising President Donald Trump, following a lawsuit alleging the campaign was intended to benefit Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Reuters reported.
US District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the temporary order on October 11 after publicly funded advertisements featuring Trump, which began airing in late September, drew criticism from both major political parties.
The lawsuit, brought by government watchdog Common Cause and other plaintiffs, argues that the advertisements amounted to political propaganda rather than legitimate public service announcements.
The Trump administration told the court it had already planned to stop funding the advertisements before the judge issued her order.
Trump previously described the commercials as a "positive promotion for our great U.S.A."
The White House said Trump's political action committee, MAGA PAC, would fund the advertisements going forward. However, it said the committee would not reimburse taxpayers for advertisements already aired.
The commercials carried disclaimers stating that they had been paid for by the US government.
"We won't stop until this administration is held fully accountable, and no president from any party can waste and abuse taxpayer funds for propaganda ever again," Common Cause President Virginia Kase Solomón said.
Democratic Party officials have also filed a separate lawsuit challenging the advertisements.
The court's order is temporary and does not constitute a final ruling on the legality of the advertising campaign.