Judge orders Trump administration to remove three political ads

A federal judge in New York ordered the Trump administration to remove three taxpayer-funded videos from television and social media platforms on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ruled that the ads appear to serve political or propaganda purposes rather than purely informational ones. The decision came in a case brought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan group Common Cause.

The three videos ordered for removal are titled “$5,000 to Americans,” “Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips,” and “Cost of Socialism.” One of the ads promotes the president’s claim that every American will receive $5,000 if Republicans maintain control of Congress in the upcoming election.

Rochon instructed the government to take the videos down from official websites and social media accounts, including YouTube and Instagram. She also ordered the cancellation of any plans to air the ads through third parties, specifically naming MAGA Inc., the super PAC associated with President Donald Trump.

The judge issued the ruling during a hearing where she considered expanding a temporary restraining order she had issued two weeks prior. That earlier order had banned a series of ads that echoed the president's political messaging ahead of the midterms. Rochon noted that the plaintiffs had asked for at least 13 ads to be removed, but she only ordered the removal of the three specified.

She explained that the government has the right to inform the public about its policies and respond to attacks. However, she found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claims that these specific ads violated the law. Rochon stated that she could reverse her decision or ban more ads after hearing further evidence in the coming weeks.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis responded to the ruling by calling Rochon a “Biden-appointed activist judge” who issued a “lawless order.” The administration has defended the videos as public service announcements similar to those made by past administrations. Plaintiffs argued that these ads differ because they do not help the public benefit from specific government programs.

Late Friday, government lawyers asked the judge to exclude MAGA Inc. from the ruling. They argued that the super PAC is not a party to the case and that the government does not control its operations. Rochon had not yet ruled on that request when the hearing ended.

The judge emphasized that the government must act immediately. She noted that the order was issued on a Friday afternoon, leaving no excuse for delay. A government lawyer present at the hearing acknowledged that he could notify the responsible staff right away.

“This temporary restraining order will stop the administration’s wanton disregard for the law while the court hears the full case,” said Bradley Girard, a lawyer with Democracy Forward. The coalition’s lawyers wrote in court papers that Congress did not appropriate funds for the president’s office to run a public relations shop to help allies or attack opponents.