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Norm Eisen

@normeisen.bsky.social
248K followers 673 following 2.1K posts

Sr. Fellow @ Brookings, Co-founder of Democracy Defenders Action, Executive Chair of Democracy Defenders Fund & Co-Founder of The Contrarian contrarian.substack.com. Posts with "TN" are from Team Norm

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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 48m
Trump spent your money on political ads set to JMSN's song, no permission Caught, he said his super PAC would run them, BUT WAIT Presidents can't direct super PACs Fixing lawbreaking w/ more lawbreaking. Very on brand @democracydefendersaction.org warned his PAC yesterday -- More on @cnn.com👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 2h
Davey Hearn is out training for bike races while the president is still trying to make him a criminal Guess which one has a judge on his side Case dismissed w/ prejudice, & @democracydefendersfund.org, WLG & Steptoe & I are w/ Davey the whole ride Davey's fight is everyone's fight @cnn.com👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 3h
How do you charge a man when your own evidence shows the reflecting pool unchanged before & after he touched it? Ask the Davey Hearn prosecutors @democracydefendersfund.org, WLG, Steptoe & I said so the day after his arraignment. Then 6 more times More on @cnn.com👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 16h
Big day for accountability, & Trump is already backing down on some of it @democracydefendersfund.org & partners are keeping the pressure on I'll get into it w/ @lauracoates.com on @cnn.com tonight @11PM Hour 👇 -TN
wapo.st
Inspectors general should probe Reflecting Pool case, ex-Olympian’s attorneys say
Attorneys for David Hearn say they want inspectors general to investigate alleged misconduct by the Departments of Interior and Justice in the handling of the since-dismissed case.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 18h
All for one & one for all That's what every news outlet should be saying as Trump tramples the First Amendment The ones he's targeting are winning in court, & now the rest of the press has to stand w/ them @ms.now👇
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 19h
My friend @aprildryan.bsky.social’s new book is out & it's a must-read! Trump has been coming after April for years -- she kept showing up to the briefing room anyway, & now she's telling the whole story Join us in DC on Oct 20 @ 7pm Buy here 👉 www.harpercollins.com/products/not...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 19h
Trump EO's vs. our elections: 0 for 2 Both his executive orders to seize them lost in court, thanks to @democracydefendersaction.org, @democracydefendersfund.org & partners Now he's reportedly huddling w/ Tina Peters, convicted of breaching voting equipment--same result coming @ms.now 👇
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 20h
Every time Trump rejiggers his political ad scheme, he adds a new violation! First he broke the law, including illegally using a song written by one of our @democracydefendersaction.org clients Now he says his super PAC will pay for the ads--but he can't legally do that! More @ms.now👇
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 22h
Big day for two Contrarian contributors, & I couldn't be prouder of them!! @jweisswolf.bsky.social & @aprildryan.bsky.social both have new books out today Go get them, buy your copy!👇 -TN
substack.com
The Contrarian (@contrarian)
It’s publication day at The Contrarian. Two of our contributors have book releases today! @Jennifer Weiss-Wolf’s book “When in Menopause: A User’s Manual and Citizen’s Guide” is a culmination of lea...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 23h
Nat. Guard stopped Davey Hearn at the Reflecting Pool & told him he wasn't free to leave No rights read, no phone call, no charges explained until that night ... For touching peeling paint! @democracydefendersfund.org, Steptoe & WLG want the IGs to ask why👇 -TN
wapo.st
Inspectors general should probe Reflecting Pool case, ex-Olympian’s attorneys say
Attorneys for David Hearn say they want inspectors general to investigate alleged misconduct by the Departments of Interior and Justice in the handling of the since-dismissed case.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
BREAKING: We're asking the DOJ & Interior IGs to investigate Davey Hearn's prosecution They botched a $14M pool job & pinned it on an innocent citizen The judge said they shot first & asked questions later. @democracydefendersfund.org, Steptoe & WLG have questions of our own👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Trump ran $10M+ in TV ads promoting himself, paid for w/ your tax dollars Facing backlash, he now says his super PAC will cover it Small problem: presidents can't direct super PAC spending either I'll get into it w/ @ms.now at 11AM ET👇 -TN
nytimes.com
Facing Backlash, Trump Says His Super PAC Will Pay for Taxpayer-Funded Ads
The president said that his PAC, MAGA, Inc., would pay for TV ads promoting him that had been paid for with taxpayer money.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Blanche wants @katiephang.bsky.social Epstein suit tossed as a "generalized grievance" Too many Americans want the files, so nobody gets them? Katie's job is to share things with the public, that's the opposite of a generalized grievance Release the files!
x.com
MeidasClips (@MeidasClips) on X
Katie Phang: "Todd Blanche wants to continue to hide the Epstein files from the American people. He wants to allow the e
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Reposted by Norm Eisen
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 05/10/2026
Legal News: Norm is standing with Minnesota judges fighting back against a meritless misconduct complaint brought by Blanche and the DOJ @normeisen.bsky.social
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Trump mailed in his own ballot while calling mail voting "cheating" Then he tried to run our elections through USPS & the Supreme Court stopped him Now he's telling GOP to vote by mail? His "election security" crusade was only ever about one voter : him -TN
nytimes.com
Trump Urges Republicans to Vote By Mail After Criticizing Practice
It was the latest mixed messaging from President Trump, who regularly votes by mail, but has made baseless claims that the practice is “inherently corrupt.”
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
From accelerating Epstein file disclosures to reinstating illegally fired U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff, DDF & DDA scored 5 major court wins this week A microcosm of how we're holding this administration accountable Full list in my weekly column @ContrarianNews.org 👇 -TN
contrariannews.org
We Object! DOJ’s Latest Attack on our Heroic Federal Judges
Publisher’s Roundup 87
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Ethics rules exist to safeguard an independent judiciary—not act as a muzzle when the executive branch defies court orders The Judicial Conference agrees judges may advocate for the rule of law Why DOJ's complaint must be rejected @ContrarianNews.org 👇 -TN
contrariannews.org
We Object! DOJ’s Latest Attack on our Heroic Federal Judges
Publisher’s Roundup 87
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
ICE violated nearly 100 court orders in 1 month—now DOJ is attacking the MN federal judges who spoke out @ngertner.bsky.social, @rwpusa.bsky.social, Matthew Seligman & I authored a joint op-ed standing up for judicial independence Full op-ed @ContrarianNews.org 👇 -TN
contrariannews.org
We Object! DOJ’s Latest Attack on our Heroic Federal Judges
Publisher’s Roundup 87
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Olympian Davey Hearn brought honor to America touching water Trump DOJ tried to blame him for its botched Reflecting Pool—maybe they should touch grass Proud to clear Davey's name w/ @democracydefendersfund.org @washlitgroup.bsky.social Steptoe LLP & reveal the truth in a win for all Americans -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
SCAM ALERT: Buy $TRUMP & you *might* be invited to dinner with Trump & unnamed “legends” More like legendary grifters! Trump made $635M on his memecoin last year while regular investors LOST $3.8B+ Another scam to line the president's pockets when everyday Americans can't afford basics -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
With the midterms a month out, Trump's grift is picking up speed, & so is the pushback @democracydefendersaction.org & partners are on the case, & I'll get into it on @ms.now at 5:30 ET 👇 -TN
washingtonpost.com
Campaign-style Trump ads use money meant for border security, memorials
The White House Office of Management and Budget added $20 million to the pot for commemorative events a day before DHS awarded an advertising contract of the same amount.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Prosecutors wanted to drop the case against Davey Hearn but keep the right to charge him again In this admin the process is the punishment, & we weren't having it Dismissed W/ prejudice! @democracydefendersfund.org, WLG & Steptoe stood w/ him from day one More @weeknightmsnow.bsky.social👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trump took over a solvent Kennedy Center, drove away donors & audiences, & now won't rule out tearing it down @democracydefendersaction.org & @washlitgroup.bsky.social fight on w/ Rep. Beatty to stop him I'll get into that & more w/ @ms.now at 1:35 ET 👇 -TN
washingtonpost.com
The Kennedy Center was solvent when Trump took over. Then its finances collapsed.
The Post examined 15 years of the institution’s financial records to see why it went south after the president took over.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
There is no insurrection -- there's a Nov. election, & Trump doesn't like his odds What he's really afraid of is voters. If he reaches for the Insurrection Act to get around them, @democracydefendersaction.org & our partners will meet him in court More on @weeknightmsnow.bsky.social👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thank you @barackobama.bsky.social for calling on the legal profession to step up to protect elections Our democracy needs you! If you are a lawyer with some time to give, join the good fight w/ @wetheaction.bsky.social👇
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trump, You don't get to pick your press corps based on who flatters you Letting Fox in while shutting out CNN, MS NOW & Politico is textbook viewpoint discrimination & the First Amendment forbids it Constitution 101 w/ @weeknightmsnow.bsky.social -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
To everyone who's stood by my friend Davey Hearn: he's so grateful & so are we Davey says if it can happen to him, it can happen to anybody, & you showed up like you knew it @democracydefendersfund.org, @washlitgroup.bsky.social & Steptoe are proud to stand w/ him & w/ you Davey on GMA👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Trump & his DOJ called Davey Hearn a vandal Now Davey has won, & the case they built on a botched, rushed paint job is finished for GOOD @democracydefendersfund.org @washlitgroup.bsky.social & Steptoe fought every step of the way I'll explain w/ @ms.now @7PMET 👇
nytimes.com
Prosecutors Cannot Revive Reflecting Pool Case Against Ex-Olympian, Judge Rules
A charge against David Hearn was dismissed “with prejudice” because of President Trump’s attempts to influence the case.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BREAKING: a federal court in Seattle just slapped down Trump for illegally firing the U.S. Attorney there! We @democracydefendersfund.org & were proud with Ashurst Perkins to file a brief for dozens of BIPARTISAN former US attorneys advocating this outcome storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
Brief of Former United States Attorneys as Amici Curiae – #23, Att. #2 in Rogoff v. Trump (W.D. Wash., 2:26-cv-02566) – CourtListener.com
MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amci Curiae, filed by Amicus Former United States as Amici Curiae. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Brief of Former United States Attorneys as Amici Curiae) Noti...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Trump's pretending his brand is good for the Kennedy Center...Not even close The Center was in "decent financial shape" until he took over. After? donors, audiences & artists fled & his board "borrowed everything its bank would lend" @washingtonpost.com did the math👇 -TN
washingtonpost.com
The Kennedy Center was solvent when Trump took over. Then its finances collapsed.
The Post examined 15 years of the institution’s financial records to see why it went south after the president took over.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
My phone buzzes with a lot of alerts about our cases. This is the first one from ESPN! An Olympic-level team effort from @democracydefendersfund.org , @washlitgroup.bsky.social & Steptoe 👇
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
STATEMENT ON JUDGE'S DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE OF CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST DAVEY HEARN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BREAKING: Davey Hearn reflecting pool prosecution dismissed WITH PREJUDICE That means the case cannot be brought again  Huge victory for Davey, for us at @democracydefendersfund.org & our legal team colleagues Washington Litigation Group and Steptoe--& for rule of law More to follow!
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BREAKING: we just struck the 1st blow against Trump's illegal impoundment of almost $1B appropriated by Congress to help average folks We & partners sued to stop him from flushing away vast sums in housing support. Housing! The court just SUSPENDED his illegal action while we fully brief the case
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
BIG WIN for making the Epstein Files public Judge Kollar-Kotelly grants summary judgment to us at @democracydefendersfund.org Orders DOJ to get busy giving us the docs. We will hold their feet to the fire!
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Reposted by Norm Eisen
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 30/09/2026
Trump threatened the Center for American Progress (CAP) with a $5 billion lawsuit for reporting that the National Guard deployed in D.C. had failed to meet their purpose of reducing crime. Norm spoke with CAP CEO Neera Tanden on the latest @americanprogress.bsky.social @neeratanden.bsky.social
contrariannews.org
When Trump Attacks Free Speech, We're All in Danger
Trump’s assaults on the First Amendment are not limited to the press, and the press isn’t the only group with the respon
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
AG Todd Blanche won't say DOJ can't declare an election fraudulent on the president's say-so Here's what I will say: this election will be free & fair, & @democracydefendersaction.org & our partners will make sure of it More on @cnnipr.bsky.social at 3:40pm ET👇 -TN
democracydefendersaction.org
Free & Fair Elections | Democracy Defenders Action
Democracy depends on free and fair elections. Across the country, efforts to undermine voting rights, silence voters, reject lawful results, and spread election disinformation threaten public trust an...
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
WH says Trump's new TV ads aren't campaign ads because he's not on the ballot One of them IS his campaign ad - - Same footage from 2024, minus the donate link, plus a govt funding tag Taxpayers are $1.7M in More @forbes.com👇 -TN
forbes.com
Trump’s Controversial Taxpayer-Funded Ads Could Violate These Laws
Congress has long blocked government funds from being used on propaganda, though the Trump administration claims they’re “public service announcements.”
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Reposted by Norm Eisen
The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 30/09/2026
LIVE SOON: How are voters feeling about AI and how can we expect the data center issue to impact the midterms? Jen and Norm will be joined by political strategist, Adrienne Elrod to discuss. Join the conversation at 9:15am ET on contrariannews.org
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
BREAKING: @democracydefendersfund.org & Jacobson Lawyers Group just sued HUD for 10 housing nonprofits Trump's HUD delayed their grants for months while they kept helping families facing foreclosure. Then it canceled $56M outright Unlawful & unkind in equal measure -- See you in court👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
VICTORY: a unanimous 11th Circuit just REFUSED to stay sanctions on Trump & Co. over his $1.8B slush fund He sued his own govt & his own DOJ agreed to the payout. The court wasn't buying it! @democracydefendersaction.org & partners are proud to rep the 35 frm fed judges who blew the whistle 👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Artists have told Trump to stop using their songs for years -- He never learns! Now it's JMSN's "Love Me," in an ad paid for by YOU @democracydefendersaction.org & @ballard have told WH to take it down. The artist said no, so the answer is NO Full story @nytimes.com👇 -TN
nytimes.com
‘Love Me’ Artist Demands Trump Stop Using Song (Gift Article)
President Trump used JMSN’s song in a recent self-promotional video that was paid for with public money.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Can't buy me love. Not even w/ your tax dollars The White House put JMSN's "Love Me" under a govt-funded ad about Trump & never asked. We're sending the song back @democracydefendersaction.org & @Ballard are fighting for JMSN Full scoop @yasharali.bsky.social👇 -TN
thereset.news
SCOOP: Trump White House Hit With Cease-and-Desist Over Unauthorized Use of Song in Taxpayer-Funded Ad
JMSN’s attorneys are demanding that the Trump administration stop using “Love Me” in a government-funded ad, take down existing copies and account for every airing and dollar spent.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trump is running political ads on your tax dollars, including a recycled one from his campaign It's against the law, & it should make everyone mad My take w/ @arimelber.bsky.social on @ms.now👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
3 little words: cease and desist! The WH is using JMSN’s music in campaign-style ads without permission that they wouldn’t have gotten anyway @democracydefendersaction.org w/Ballard is proud to represent JMSN, demanding immediate end to ads using his music & a written account of every airing -TN
democracydefendersaction.org
JMSN, "Love Me" Artist, Demands White House Stop Using His Music in Its Political Ads
Attorneys for Christian Berishaj, who performs as JMSN, last night sent a cease-and-desist letter to White House Chief o
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Trump is fighting the press, the courts & your wallet all at once, & it's only Monday His bet is that the chaos moves too fast for anyone to keep track We're keeping track. I'll get into it w/ @arimelber.bsky.social on @ms.now at 6:25pm ET -TN
nytimes.com
Trump’s 2024 ‘Final Battle’ Ad Returns, Funded by Public Money
The ad, which ethics experts said could violate federal law, shows Mr. Trump vowing to “expel the warmongers” from the government and fight the “deep state,” even as he wages a war with Iran.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Trump's approval is stuck in the 30s, so he found a new campaign donor: you His admin is running recycled 2024 campaign ads on Fox & Newsmax, now billed to taxpayers Richard Painter, Virginia Canter, Chris Swartz & I on why this propaganda machine smacks of corruption, @contrariannews.org👇 -TN
contrariannews.org
Trump Goes Full-Orwell
The administration’s propaganda hype-ads are an abuse of power.
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BREAKING: @democracydefendersfund.org & partners are back in court to stop Trump from stripping citizenship from babies born here 3 months after losing at SCOTUS, he's trying to rewrite the 14th Amend. from the Oval Office SCOTUS settled this in June--NO do-overs bc he didn't like the answer! -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
GOP in Congress have gone supine, & that's how a democracy slides toward Orbán's Hungary Americans aren't having it, & neither are the courts @democracydefendersaction.org & partners have hundreds of cases going & the wins keep coming Why I expect a historic spanking Nov 3 w/ @ms.now👇 -TN
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Can a president run his own political ads on your tax dollars? Congress said NO, & these ads blow right past it! All options are on the table for @democracydefendersaction.org , so stay tuned Here's the legal case against these ads, w/ @MorningEdition on @npr.org 👇 -TN
npr.org
Taxpayer-funded Trump administration ads raise questions about their legality
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with former White House ethics czar Norman Eisen about the ethical and legal questions raised by new Trump administration advertisements, which are funded by taxpayer money.
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