A federal judge in New York ordered the Trump administration to stop any remaining television ads paid for with $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funds, granting a temporary restraining order Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon’s order bars the administration for two weeks from entering, renewing or expanding agreements to create or air the challenged ads. It took effect at 6:45 p.m. Eastern time Sunday and covers commercials scheduled to run that night. The case was brought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause, which argues the ads amount to an unlawful use of public money for political messaging. The judge’s temporary order does not decide the case’s merits. The Department of Justice had argued in a court filing Saturday that an order was unnecessary because the campaign was expected to end the next day. The White House, asked for comment, referred to President Donald Trump’s Oct. 5 social media post defending the ads as “rather standard” and saying he would pay for them with political fundraising after criticism. A White House official previously said there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government for money already spent. DHS awarded LMD Agency $20 million for a “National Media Campaign” beginning Sept. 20, according to contracting records. A day earlier, the White House Office of Management and Budget granted the same amount to Customs and Border Protection for “OBBB Commemorative Events,” according to a nongovernmental database. In a court declaration, senior DHS official Holly Mehringer said the funds were appropriated by Congress and available for, among other purposes, commemorating border-security efforts and events. Legal experts have questioned whether using the money for the ads violated a federal restriction on spending appropriated funds for “publicity or propaganda.” The administration has described the commercials as public-service announcements similar to those used by previous administrations. A White House official said the ads were not political, arguing Trump was not on the ballot and the commercials included no call to action. The spots began airing in late September and featured Trump’s political messaging, including remarks about communism and a replay of an ad from his previous presidential campaign. A later spot focused on the administration’s capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The spending has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said the ads should not be paid for with taxpayer money. Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy also said public officials should not use public funds for private ads promoting themselves. The Democratic National Committee has filed a separate lawsuit challenging the campaign. The plaintiffs, represented by Democracy Forward, said the court acted to prevent further taxpayer spending on what they called unlawful political propaganda. Their challenge also raises questions about whether money Congress designated for government purposes can be used to promote a president’s political message. Separately, attorneys for musician JMSN sent the White House chief of staff a cease-and-desist letter over the use of his song “Love Me” in one of the commercials. The artist said on social media he had not authorized his music to be used for a political agenda or campaign.