Trump says he'll pay for DHS ads, but judge halts spending

A New York federal judge ordered the Trump administration late Sunday to stop airing government-funded television ads featuring President Donald Trump, barring the Department of Homeland Security from spending more of the $20 million set aside for the campaign.

US District Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the temporary restraining order in Manhattan federal court. It also blocks new agreements or the expansion of existing contracts for similar advertising for 14 days, while she decides whether to impose a longer-term block. Rochon wrote that the challengers had shown they would suffer "irreparable harm" without immediate court action.

The lawsuit came from watchdog group Common Cause and others, who alleged the DHS-funded campaign used public money for political promotion rather than public information. The ads, funded through DHS's budget, were criticized for using taxpayer money — which critics say could be illegal — and were nearly identical to Trump's 2024 campaign ads. They reportedly ran on major networks including Fox, CNN, and ABC.

Rochon rejected that, ruling the issue was not moot.

President Trump said on Oct. 5 he would pay for the ads going forward. The White House said he would not reimburse the federal government for the cost of ads that already aired.

The order is a direct judicial check on executive-branch spending and messaging weeks before the November midterms. It also tests how far a temporary restraining order can reach into contracts and spending already in motion at DHS.

The block lasts 14 days.