What We Know About the Judge's Order Halting Pro-Trump TV Ads

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop broadcasting taxpayer-funded television ads that promote the president ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to The Guardian.

What did the judge order?

US District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon of the Southern District of New York issued a temporary restraining order effective 6:45 p.m. ET Sunday, the Guardian reported. The order bars the administration from entering into, renewing or expanding "any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the ... advertisements," Rochon wrote in her ruling, per the Guardian. The TRO is set to remain in effect for at least 14 days. Rochon also ordered the administration to cancel the remaining portion of a $20 million advertising purchase, halting further spending on the campaign, the Guardian reported.

Who sued to block the ads?

The challenge was brought by the government watchdog group Common Cause, Alabama state house Democratic candidate Robert Hunter, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ and the union's political action committee, Empire State 32BJ SEIU PAC, according to the Guardian. The lawsuit named the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Management and Budget and the Executive Office of the President as defendants.

What did the plaintiffs argue?

The plaintiffs said the administration was using public funds to influence elections. "In short, lacking any legal basis, and in the face of explicit legal prohibitions, defendants are attempting to skew midterm and state elections by using taxpayer dollars to run publicity and propaganda," the plaintiffs wrote, according to the Guardian. They called the ad campaign a "blatant abuse of authority."

"Defendants are attempting to skew midterm and state elections by using taxpayer dollars to run publicity and propaganda," the plaintiffs argued in their filing, per the Guardian.

Why did the judge side with the plaintiffs?

Rochon found the plaintiffs "have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits, will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction, the balance of the equities tips in their favor, and an injunction serves the public interest," the judge wrote in her ruling, according to the Guardian. The Guardian reported it had reached out to the administration for comment; no administration response was included in the available reporting.

By the numbers

• $20 million — size of the advertising purchase the judge ordered canceled, per the Guardian.
• 14 days — minimum duration the temporary restraining order is set to remain in effect.
• 23 days — time between the Sunday order and the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

What happens next?

The TRO is a temporary measure, not a final ruling, meaning further court proceedings are expected before any permanent decision on the legality of the ad campaign. The Guardian's reporting did not include a scheduled date for the next hearing.

What to watch

• Whether the administration appeals or complies with the Sunday order.
• Any administration response to the Guardian's request for comment.
• Whether a hearing is scheduled before the 14-day TRO window expires.
• Whether the case proceeds toward a preliminary injunction ahead of Nov. 3.

For related coverage of federal policy disputes, see HTT News's reporting on Houthis, Ukraine and Trump's energy problem.