Original Date Announced

CNBC reports that CBP used $20 million in taxpayer funds appropriated through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) for a national media campaign comprised of pro-Trump television ads that included messages from 2024 campaign ads. Statistics from AdImpact show that more than $1.2 million has already been spent airing just two of the spots. Democratic Senators wrote to DHS Secretary Mullin and are calling for investigations into what they have labeled an "outrageous scheme."

Trump 2.0 [ID #2416]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.09.29 FTC FCC Complaint - Trump Ads

Watchdog group Public Citizen filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging broadcasters to stop airing the ads. Public Citizen has separately asked the GAO and Office of Special Counsel to investigate alleged violations of federal propaganda restrictions and the Hatch Act, which restricts the involvement of federal government employees in political campaigns.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.10.07 Common Cause v. DHS - Complaint

A coalition including the organization Common Cause, SEIU Local 32BJ, and a candidate for the Alabama State House filed a complaint in the Southern District of New York challenging the Trump Administration's diversion of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds towards the political advertisements. The complaint argues that the spending violates federal appropriations restrictions and longstanding prohibitions on government-funded political propaganda, seeking to halt the ads and hold the administration accountable for its use of taxpayer funds. Common Cause v. Department of Homeland Security, 1:26-cv-08882 (S.D.N.Y.).

**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.10.11 Common Cause v. DHS - Order Granting TRO

Judge Jennifer L. Rochon (S.D.N.Y.) granted Common Cause’s motion for a TRO and § 705 stay, blocking the roughly $20 million DHS ad campaign. The order stays CBP’s purchase order with LMD Agency and OMB’s apportionment for five challenged TV ads, bars the use of DHS funds for them, and requires any placements to be cancelled. Common Cause v. Department of Homeland Security, 1:26-cv-08882 (S.D.N.Y.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.10.12 Reported: Trump blew past deadline to halt running taxpayer-funded campaign-style ads - Washington Post

The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration has continued running its DHS funded ads past the deadline set by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in a temporary order that blocked the running of the ads past Sunday, October 11.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.10.30 Common Cause v. DHS - Order Extending TRO

Common Cause sought to extend Judge Rochon's October 14 order, arguing the government was using Executive Office of the President funds to run ads online and get around the earlier ruling. Rochon issued a second TRO ordering the government to take down three ads, “$5,000 to Americans,” “Every Democrat Voted Against No Tax on Tips,” and “Cost of Socialism,” and to cancel any distribution through authorized third parties, including MAGA Inc. Common Cause v. Department of Homeland Security, 1:26-cv-08882 (S.D.N.Y.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**