United States District Court for the District of Columbia

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin filed suit Oct. 9 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to block taxpayer-funded advertisements promoting President Trump, arguing they illegally use public money to benefit Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. The suit alleges violations of a law Trump signed this year barring appropriated funds for "publicity or propaganda," as well as the Hatch Act. It follows a similar complaint from the Democratic National Committee days earlier.

The ads, which cost $20 million drawn from Homeland Security funds tied to Customs and Border Protection appropriations, drew bipartisan criticism, particularly one resembling Trump's 2024 campaign spot. The White House has defended them as public service announcements. Trump said on Truth Social he would personally fund future ads through his MAGA Inc. super-PAC, though officials clarified that would not cover ads already aired. A separate government-funded ad touting the removal of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro aired Oct. 6.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington seeking to restore White House access after their reporters were denied entry and had press credentials revoked following Trump's announcement banning the outlets over what he called "fake news" coverage. The suit, naming Trump, aide Steven Cheung, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secret Service Director Sean Curran, argues the ban violates First Amendment press freedoms and 14th Amendment due-process rights, calling it unconstitutional "viewpoint discrimination." It cites the 1977 Sherrill v. Knight precedent barring arbitrary denial of press passes based on coverage content, as well as the earlier Jim Acosta case.

Trump denied targeting a free press, calling it instead an "assault on the FAKE News." The White House Correspondents' Association backed the outlets, warning the standard could be applied to any news organization. Separately, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News said they would no longer supply camera crews for White House pool coverage after CNN was removed from pool duties, leaving no television crews traveling with Trump to the UN General Assembly.