DNC sues Trump administration, alleging taxpayer-funded ads violate propaganda law

The Democratic National Committee has taken President Donald Trump's administration to federal court in Washington, arguing that a series of television spots flattering the president amount to unlawful government propaganda paid for by the public. The suit, brought Wednesday, names Trump, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget. It claims Trump personally directed the campaign and asks a judge to declare the ads illegal and cut off federal money for them, according to ABC News.

The commercials started running in September, and AdImpact, a media tracking firm, puts airtime costs above $12 million. Homeland Security has committed $20 million in total, drawn from a $175 million allotment Congress gave the agency for immigration enforcement. Criticism has come from both parties, with early voting underway and the midterms under a month away.

Trump said Monday that future ads would be funded by his MAGA Inc. super PAC, yet a fifth ad aired Tuesday labeled as paid for by the U. S. Government, and he told reporters "we'll decide" whether to repay earlier spending. DNC Chair Ken Martin called the effort misuse of tax dollars.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →