A federal judge in Manhattan has halted the Trump administration's taxpayer-funded television advertising campaign, after liberal groups argued that the $20 million ads amounted to political propaganda. Judge Jennifer L. Rochon issued her order on Sunday evening, barring further broadcast or dissemination of the challenged advertisements.
The dispute began when a coalition of liberal organisations filed suit last week over commercials funded through a Department of Homeland Security contract. The ads cost taxpayers $20 million and ran on network and cable television, including slots around Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and weekend football coverage on Fox.
