DOJ Admits Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads Aired Nearly 400 Times After Judge's Halt Order

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt a $20 million DHS-funded ad campaign on Oct. 11, 2026, after a coalition led by Common Cause sued. The order took effect at 6:46 p.m. and barred further spending. Plaintiffs told the court the ads ran nearly 400 more times that evening and the next day, including on CBS's 60 Minutes and ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos. DOJ attorney Jeffrey Oestericher filed a status report acknowledging the violation, apologizing to the court, and blaming a delay relaying DOJ's email to the ad vendor.

Continuing to air the ads after an explicit court order raises questions about compliance with judicial authority, even though plaintiffs have not yet asked for contempt sanctions. The episode is part of a larger fight over whether taxpayer money can pay for ads depicting Trump that critics call political messaging ahead of the midterms, which the administration describes as nonpartisan public service announcements.

The restraining order remains in effect for two weeks. DOJ reported the ad buy has stopped, future payments are frozen, and the vendor was told to cease. Plaintiffs asked for a status conference on compliance; no contempt motion has been filed.