A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to immediately cease airing controversial government-funded advertisements on Sunday night. The ads, which critics have labeled as propaganda intended to influence the upcoming midterm election, were being broadcast under a $20 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security.
Judge Jennifer Rochon issued the order in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, finding that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their case. The ruling determined that the plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction, that the balance of equities favored them, and that an injunction served the public interest. Rochon also noted that the motion was not moot and that the plaintiffs had standing to proceed.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the advocacy group Common Cause and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which is headquartered in New York City. In a statement following the decision, the coalition expressed relief that the court acted swiftly to prevent further use of taxpayer dollars for what they described as "blatantly unlawful political propaganda."
The group argued that there is no legal justification or precedent for the president to use government machinery and funds set aside by Congress for other purposes to influence electoral outcomes in a way that advances his own agenda. Referring to President Donald Trump, the coalition stated that as the case moves forward and voters participate in the election, they will work to ensure the rule of law is upheld to protect voter rights and democracy.