Politics

Two federal judges block taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads in separate rulings

One ruling orders three named ads pulled, while a separate order bars creating and airing taxpayer-funded ads.

Updated Oct 31, 2026 · 00:19 UTC2 reports

The short version

Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered the government to take down three named taxpayer-funded ads in a case backed by Common Cause.[Associated Press]
Judge Loren AliKhan separately blocked the administration from creating and airing taxpayer-funded ads after a Democratic National Committee lawsuit.[The Washington Sun]
The White House called the Rochon order lawless and said it came from a Biden-appointed activist judge.[Associated Press]

Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered three named Trump administration ads pulled, including “$5,000 to Americans.”[Associated Press]
Judge Loren AliKhan blocked the Trump administration from creating and airing taxpayer-funded ads.[The Washington Sun]
The case before Judge Rochon was brought by a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause.[Associated Press]
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis criticized the Rochon ruling as a lawless order issued by a Biden-appointed activist judge.[Associated Press]

The White House disputes the rulings, and the reporting does not establish whether either order will be appealed or modified.[Associated Press · The Washington Sun]
The exact terms of AliKhan's order, including its full scope, are not detailed in the available claims.[The Washington Sun]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.