Rob Bonta seeks federal probe into Trump ads in California
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called for a federal investigation into taxpayer-funded Trump ads, alleging they violate political spending laws.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a complaint seeking a federal probe into televised commercials. The action targets taxpayer-funded government advertisements that Bonta alleges violate federal laws against political spending.
Federal oversight agencies have not determined whether to launch a formal investigation into the broadcasts. The government advertisements aired during several national Sunday football broadcasts throughout September.
Bonta asked federal watchdogs to investigate and prosecute the administration for partisan actions. He argued the videos illegally spent public funds on political messaging.
“It’s propaganda , plain and simple. It’s also illegal,” Bonta said in a Monday news release. “I call on federal watchdogs to investigate and prosecute this staggering misuse of public funding and breach of public trust.”
U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, raised concerns about the funding on Sept. 24. She sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles comparing the commercials to propaganda.
The White House said the clips were public service announcements about patriotism. A White House spokesperson told reporters the messages remind citizens what makes their country worth defending.
Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-MA, and George Whitesides, D-CA, urged investigations on Oct. 1. They asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Office of Special Counsel to act.
Federal Communications Commission head Brendan Carr defended the broadcasts later that day. Carr said the public announcements did not warrant a review by his regulatory agency.
Trump defended the broadcasts. He announced plans on Truth Social to pay for future patriotic ads himself. The White House said the post applied to future public announcements rather than past costs.
A spokesperson for the Government Accountability Office confirmed the office received a congressional request. The office is reviewing the submission.
The Government Accountability Office investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer funds. California officials frequently submit formal complaints to federal watchdogs to enforce statutory spending limits. Independent agencies review these petitions before opening official inquiries.
The federal watchdogs have not announced any official enforcement action against the administration. The Office of Special Counsel declined to comment on the matter.
