US District Judge Jennifer L. The federal judge ruled that they likely served political or propaganda purposes rather than legitimate public information campaigns.
Rochon ruled on Friday that advertisements titled “$5,000 to Americans,” “Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips,” and “Cost of Socialism” must be taken down from government websites and social media while a lawsuit challenging the ads proceeds.
The coalition had asked the court to block at least 13 ads. The ruling followed a legal challenge brought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause. The judge also ordered the government to halt any planned distribution of the three advertisements through third parties, including MAGA Inc., President Donald Trump ’s flagship super PAC. The advertisements must be removed from official government platforms, including YouTube, Instagram and other social media accounts. Rochon declined to remove several other government advertisements challenged by the plaintiffs. They argued that these ads improperly used taxpayer funds to promote Trump’s political message ahead of the election. However, she found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in challenging the three specific advertisements. Following the ruling, government lawyers asked the court to exempt MAGA Inc. from the order. They argued that the super PAC is not a party to the lawsuit and operates independently of the federal government. The case was filed by a coalition represented by Democracy Forward, which argued that federal law prohibits taxpayer money from financing partisan political advertisements.
Rochon also said the coalition could suffer irreparable harm if those ads remained online while the case continued. “This court can neither postpone an election nor turn back the clock,” Rochon said during the hearing. “This temporary restraining order will stop the administration’s wanton disregard for the law while the court hears the full case,” attorney Bradley Girard said after the ruling.
