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Judge halts Trump administration's taxpayer-funded ads

A federal judge on Sunday ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt taxpayer-funded ads featuring President Trump. Why it matters: The ruling temporarily blocks the ads weeks before November's midterm elections as multiple lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's use of taxpayer money play out in court. Sunday's ruling stems from a suit filed in the Southern District of New York by Washington, D.C.-based watchdog Common Cause, non-profit Democracy Forward and other plaintiffs. A similar lawsuit, filed by the Democratic National Committee, was filed in D.C. federal court earlier this month. The big picture: The Trump administration maintains that the ads are public service announcements and that previous Republican and Democratic administrations have used taxpayer-funded advertising to promote government policies. Trump pledged to pay for the ads himself after both lawsuits were filed, though the White House told Axios there were no plans to reimburse the government for millions already spent on the ads. Driving the news: The plaintiffs in the New York lawsuit allege that the Trump administration exceeded congressional authorization and violated restrictions on publicity and propaganda. In a brief order, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon found that a motion filed by the coalition was "not moot." She found they had "demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits, will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction, the balance of the equities tips in their favor, and an injunction serves the public interest," according to the order. The suit names the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles as defendants. What they're saying: The coalition said in a statement emailed by Democracy Forward it was "pleased the court acted swiftly to prevent more taxpayer dollars from being used for such blatant

axios.comLeft

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families say Saudi Arabia provided aid to hijackers while conspiracist conference casts doubt on official narrative “It’s shocking to me that we are still fighting for justice,” said Terry Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, whose husband, Tom, a bond broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, was killed in the north tower of the World Trade Center 25 years ago last month. Strada began her odyssey toward justice in 2004, but last week in New York she and dozens of family members of those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks sensed they were closer to a US court hearing their case that Islamists gained influence in Saudi Arabia’s government and provided aid to at least two of the 19 hijackers.

theguardian.comLeft

US maternity wards face wave of closures as Medicaid cuts kick in

Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ spending cuts will be fully felt next year, but hospitals are already feeling the squeeze Maternity wards across the United States are facing a wave of closures as cuts to federal Medicaid funding take effect, experts have warned. According to analysis by the non-profit Protect Our Care, 52 maternity wards have closed since the HR1 bill was announced in July 2025, with a further eight having announced their upcoming closure.

theguardian.comLeft

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