A federal judge in New York ordered the Trump administration on Sunday to immediately halt a multimillion-dollar television advertising campaign promoting President Donald Trump, including commercials scheduled to air later that evening. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued a temporary restraining order requiring the administration to cancel all remaining advertising placements and prohibiting new agreements to produce or distribute the disputed commercials for two weeks. The decision follows a lawsuit brought by government watchdog Common Cause, labor organizations and an Alabama legislative candidate, who argued that the advertisements improperly used federal funds to promote Trump's political agenda ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The advertisements began airing in late September, highlighting Trump's presidency, policy achievements and political messaging across national television networks. The Department of Homeland Security authorized a $20 million advertising contract, with media tracking estimates indicating that more than $12 million had already been spent on the campaign by early October. The commercials prompted criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the use of taxpayer money for political messaging. Trump previously defended the advertisements as promoting the United States but announced on October 5 that public funds would no longer be used, with future advertising instead financed through his political operation. However, government-funded commercials continued airing after that announcement, prompting additional legal challenges over whether the administration had violated federal restrictions on government-funded publicity and propaganda.

A government-funded television advertisement features President Donald Trump in black and white, with an on-screen disclaimer reading “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” The footage comes as a federal judge orders the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded promotional advertisements following a legal challenge over their use of public funds.

The Justice Department informed the court Saturday that the advertising campaign was already scheduled to conclude Sunday and that the Department of Homeland Security did not intend to purchase additional airtime. Nevertheless, Rochon ordered the administration to cancel any remaining broadcasts, preventing the campaign from continuing under existing agreements. The White House has maintained that the advertisements served as legitimate public service announcements rather than election-related political advertising, while plaintiffs argue that the government improperly financed messaging designed to benefit the president and his political allies. The ruling temporarily stops the advertisements but does not constitute a final determination on whether the administration violated federal law. Further proceedings will determine whether additional restrictions or other legal remedies are warranted.