DNC Sues Trump Administration Over $20 Million Taxpayer-Funded Political Ads

The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday sued the Donald Trump administration over television advertisements that promote the president’s political message while being funded with millions of dollars in taxpayer money.

The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the advertisements amount to illegal government-sponsored propaganda. The DNC is seeking a court declaration that the ads are unlawful and an order blocking the use of federal funds to pay for them.

The advertisements, which began airing in September, have drawn bipartisan criticism as voters cast early ballots ahead of the midterm elections, which are less than a month away.

According to media tracking firm AdImpact, more than $12 million has already been spent on the advertisements, with a total of $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funding allocated to the campaign.

Trump Defends Ads, Says Super PAC Will Pay

Trump defended the advertisements on Monday, describing them as “positive promotion for our Great USA” and saying he would have his MAGA Inc. super PAC pay for them going forward.

However, a fifth advertisement began airing Tuesday with the label “paid for by the US Government.” The ad promotes Trump’s military actions in Venezuela earlier this year.

Trump also indicated Tuesday that he had not yet decided whether to reimburse taxpayers for money already spent on the campaign.

“We’ll decide,” he told reporters.

DNC Accuses Trump Of Misusing Taxpayer Money

DNC Chair Ken Martin accused Trump of using taxpayer funds to advance his political interests.

“Americans deserve better than to have their hard-earned tax dollars used for Trump’s illegal schemes,” Martin said, describing the spending as a “last-ditch attempt to save Republicans in November.”

A person familiar with the advertising campaign, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said ad purchases made before Trump’s decision to shift future payments to his super PAC are expected to end this week. Outside groups will then begin funding the advertisements, the person said.

Legal Questions Over Government-Funded Ads

Legal experts have raised questions about whether the advertisements violate a federal law prohibiting the use of congressionally appropriated funds for “publicity or propaganda,” along with potentially other federal statutes.

The Homeland Security funding being used for the campaign comes from a $175 million package approved by Congress as part of Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.

The White House has defended the advertisements as public service announcements, arguing that previous administrations have used similar campaigns to promote government policies.

However, legal experts have noted that the latest advertisements differ from many traditional public service announcements because they do not appear primarily intended to help citizens access or benefit from specific government programmes.

Trump Administration Named As Defendants

The lawsuit names Trump, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget as defendants.

The White House referred questions about the lawsuit to Trump’s earlier comments regarding his plan to have his super PAC pay for the advertisements.

The agencies named in the lawsuit did not immediately respond to requests for comment.