U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon in Manhattan granted a two-week temporary restraining order on Sunday night, effective 6:45 p.m.

ET, requiring the administration to cancel all remaining taxpayer-funded commercials — including ones set to air that evening — and barring DHS from entering into, renewing, or expanding any agreement to create or air the challenged ads.

The order also bars spending any more of the $20 million allocated, and stays a purchase order between Customs and Border Protection and contractor LMD Agency. Plaintiffs say the ads violate federal restrictions on using appropriated money for "publicity or propaganda."

The Department of Homeland Security tapped $20 million in congressional funds for a "National Media Campaign" starting Sept. 20, awarding LMD Agency through CBP, according to contracting records cited by CBS News.

Roughly $19 million of the allocation had already been spent when the court intervened, CNBC reports, and a White House official said there are no immediate plans to reimburse the government for money already spent. Trump said Oct.

5 he would pay for ads going forward through his political fundraising.

The Justice Department argued a restraining order was unnecessary because "the alleged offending conduct will end tomorrow," and the plaintiffs say the administration never defended the ads on the merits.

Rochon rejected the mootness argument, finding ads would keep airing through Sunday evening programming "that will attract millions of viewers," rejected the government's standing challenge, and found the coalition likely to win, likely to suffer irreparable harm, and that an injunction serves the public interest.

The ads, which began airing in late September during broadcasts including football games and "Saturday Night Live," glorified Trump and echoed his campaign messaging — one replayed a 2024 campaign ad, another warned about communism, and a fifth focused on the capture of Nicolás Maduro, all captioned "Paid for by the U.S. Government."

The White House called them public service announcements, with an official saying they are "clearly not political" and contain no call to action; DHS official Holly Mehringer said in a court declaration the funds were for "commemorating efforts and events related to border security."

Criticism crossed party lines: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the ads "shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars," and Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said no official should "spend public money on private ads for themselves."

Senate Democrats called the campaign "the sort of government propaganda one might expect in North Korea." Artist JMSN sent a cease-and-desist after his song "Love Me" was used without authorization.

The Democratic National Committee filed a separate suit, and Legal experts cited by CBS say the spending may violate a federal statute against using appropriated funds for propaganda.

The restraining order lasts 14 days unless extended, and the parties return to court Oct. 13 to address next steps, including whether restrictions remain beyond the temporary order.

Plaintiffs represented by Democracy Forward celebrated the ruling: "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 case will test spending limits weeks before Nov. 3 midterms that could decide control of Congress.