Trump-tied group spends over 85% of $35M budget on ads, not legal work
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America First Legal spent over $30 million on advertising in 2022, more than 85% of its $35 million budget. Less than $1.5 million went to legal services.
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The group was co-founded by Trump advisor Stephen Miller and former chief of staff Mark Meadows as a conservative counterpart to the ACLU.
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AFL prioritized marketing over expanding legal operations, running controversial ad campaigns on topics like immigration and transgender rights.
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The group initiated dozens of lawsuits in 2022 but has seen mixed success, with some wins in conservative courts but other cases dismissed.
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Over 60% of AFL's funding came from the Bradley Impact Fund, which offers donors anonymity. Bradley gave AFL almost 3 times what it granted any other group.