1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent in New York State to state my strong opposition to the administration's use of taxpayer money to air campaign style advertisements promoting President Trump. According to the ad tracking firm AdImpact, more than $10 million in federal funds has already been spent on these ads. The money came from a $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract. The ads carry the line "Paid for by the U.S. government," yet several of them recycle the President's own campaign rhetoric and imagery, and they are airing in the weeks before the midterm elections. This is not public service messaging. A public service announcement tells people how to apply for a benefit, prepare for a storm, or protect their health. These ads tell viewers how to feel about one politician. That is political advertising, and it has been billed to the public. The President has since said his super PAC will pay for future ads, but that does not resolve anything. The White House has said he will not reimburse the government for the millions already spent, so taxpayers have funded a campaign effort they never agreed to support. Shifting future costs does nothing to undo what was already taken. This also follows the $220 million DHS ad campaign under former Secretary Noem, which used no bid contracts with firms tied to her senior advisers. Two campaigns like this at the same department in under two years show a pattern, not a mistake. I am asking you to take the following actions: • Push for a full GAO and Inspector General investigation into the DHS contract and any other agency involved, with all records preserved. • Demand full repayment of the federal funds already spent on these ads. • Support legislation that makes this explicitly illegal and enforceable, with personal accountability for any official who approves it. That law should ban government funded ads featuring the President or cabinet members, and bar contracts with firms tied to their political operations. • Use the appropriations process to block any further funding for advertising of this kind. Federal law already prohibits using appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda. A rule that can be ignored without consequence is not a rule. Congress needs to give it real penalties, or every future administration, of either party, will treat public money as a campaign budget. My tax dollars should fund services for the people of this state and this country, not image making for whoever holds office. Thank you for your attention to this. I would appreciate a response describing the specific steps your office will take.