Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ad Violates the Hatch Act

A US federal court judge has ordered the halt of taxpayer-funded television ads promoting President Donald Trump's policies, ruling that they violate the Hatch Act.

The ads, which began airing in late September, feature Trump promoting his policies and warning against communism and a 'final battle' against 'globalists'.

The New York District Judge Jennifer L Rochon called the commercials an illegal misuse of funds, siding with a coalition that includes the nonpartisan watchdog Common Cause.

The court ordered the halt even as the administration said the ad campaign was coming to an end, with the Department of Homeland Security having tapped $20 million in taxpayer funds to run the ads.

Legal experts argue that the ads violate a federal statute against congressionally appropriated money being used for 'publicity or propaganda', along with other laws.

The White House said last week that the president's political action committee would fund the ads going forward, but not reimburse taxpayers for the ones that had already run.

The plaintiffs, represented by Democracy Forward and Common Cause, said that there is no legal justification for the president to use government funds to influence electoral outcomes that further his own agenda.