The Democratic National Committee (DNC) brought suit Wednesday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to halt taxpayer-funded television advertisements promoting President Donald Trump, arguing that the spending violates federal restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for “publicity or propaganda” purposes.

The complaint seeks judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act of actions by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It also seeks ultra vires review under statutes requiring agencies to spend funds as directed by Congress, and an injunction against similar advertisements in the future.

The complaint alleges the administration has been making “campaign-style videos since at least August 2026” and that these agencies used $20 million from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) funds to pay for five televised ads.

The DNC alleges the administration violated the 2026 appropriation act’s prohibition on using funds for unauthorized “publicity or propaganda purposes.” It further argues that the ads violate the Antideficiency Act‘s requirement that the executive branch only spend funds appropriated by Congress, and the Purpose Act‘s limit that funds “shall be applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were made” unless law provides otherwise.

The complaint cites Government Accountability Office (GAO) guidelines prohibiting agency communications that are self-aggrandizing, as well as purely partisan materials “designed to aid a political party or candidate.”

The DNC argues that the ads, which aired in September in major media markets and on national networks, constitute prohibited “self-aggrandizement” and are “purely partisan.” According to the complaint, the ads feature soundbites of flattering remarks about the president while providing “no informational value to the American public.”

The administration defended the ads as non-partisan “public service announcements.” It said they are not campaign ads because Trump “is not on the ballot and there is no call to action” while drawing comparisons to national advertising campaigns for legislation and messaging under previous administrations.

The DNC further argues these ads promote conservative messaging intended to shore up Republican support ahead of the midterm elections. The complaint also alleges that one ad is “virtually identical” to a 2024 campaign ad. It further contends these ads have been re-posted to Trump’s social media without the public-finance disclosure, and that additional ads are prepared for next month.

The DNC argues that the ads confer an unlawful political advantage on Republicans and undermine the fairness of the electoral process, echoing broader legal battles over political party spending limits.