Judge cancels taxpayer-funded Trump ads made by Columbia-based company

A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump to cancel any remaining taxpayer-funded television commercials made by a Columbia-based advertising agency, even as the administration said the ad campaign was coming to an end.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon in New York on Sunday sided with a coalition, which includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause, that challenged the ads as an illegal misuse of funds. She told the administration to cancel any remaining ads, including those set to air that night.

In granting a temporary restraining order, Rochon wrote: “Defendants shall not enter into, renew, or expand any agreement authorizing the development, creation, dissemination, placement, or airing of the challenged advertisements” during the two-week duration of her order.

LMD Agency, a small business whose clients include TEDCO, the University of Maryland, Catholic University, and Prince George’s County, did not respond to requests for comment from The Baltimore Banner.

Federal data shows the contract was awarded Sept. 19 to LMD Agency for a “National Media Campaign.” The advertisements began running on TV days later and were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Asked for comment, the White House referred to an Oct. 5 social media post from Trump in which he defended the taxpayer-funded ads as “rather standard” but, amid backlash, said he would pay for them from his political fundraising.

In a court filing late Saturday, the Justice Department argued that the temporary restraining order was unnecessary because “the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow.”

The Department of Homeland Security tapped $20 million in taxpayer money for the ads. Legal experts have suggested that move violated a federal statute prohibiting the use of congressionally appropriated funds for “publicity or propaganda” and potentially other laws.

“There is no legal justification — and no precedent — for the president to use the machinery of the government and funds set aside by Congress for other uses to influence electoral outcomes that further his own agenda,” the plaintiffs said in a statement issued by Democracy Forward, the nonprofit legal organization that represents them.

The White House has defended the ads as public service announcements akin to what past administrations have done to promote various policies. But the recent ads differ from many past public service announcements because they aren’t aimed at helping members of the public benefit from specific government programs.

The ads, which began airing late last month, applaud Trump and echo his political messaging going into the midterms. One features a clip of Trump talking about the threat of communism, and another is a replay of an ad from his last presidential campaign. The fifth ad in the campaign began airing Tuesday, focusing on the Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The use of public funds to pay for the ads drew heavy criticism — including from some in the GOP.

“It shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, told reporters.

Amid the backlash, Trump said he would start paying for the ads with a campaign account. A White House official said there were no immediate plans to reimburse the government for money already spent.

Federal records show that LMD was awarded contracts worth $43.2 million in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, including $18 million for a U.S. Coast Guard advertising contract. The company has won $266.4 million in federal contracts over the past decade.

In 2025, the company was named one of the Best Places to Work in Greater Baltimore by the Baltimore Business Journal. The company was recognized in the Top 10 Small Business category.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.