FCC Chairman Carr’s Threat to Pull ABC Broadcast Licenses Is an Unconstitutional Attack on Free Speech

WASHINGTON —  On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr issued an order to initiate early license reviews of all of ABC’s broadcast station licenses. This extraordinary move follows calls by President Donald Trump and his wife Melania for the broadcaster to fire Jimmy Kimmel. 

Since becoming chairman, Carr has threatened multiple actions against the network and has opened at least three dubious investigations into the broadcaster, following instances in which ABC news and entertainment programming upset Trump. In September 2025, Disney — ABC’s parent company — temporarily suspended Kimmel after Carr threatened action in response to a joke told during the comedian’s late-night monologue.

Earlier this week, the Trumps called for Kimmel’s firing after the host made another joke at their expense, prior to last Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, which was canceled after a gunman attempted to enter the venue. 

The FCC order claims that the license review stems from an ongoing probe into Disney’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (or DEI) practices, and not from the Kimmel controversy.

The FCC has the authority to review station licenses every eight years, but calling for an early license renewal is an extremely rare escalation. Eight ABC owned-and-operated stations in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago would be affected.

Free Press Co-CEO Jessica J. González made the following statement:

“Carr will try to dress up this latest attack like a legitimate FCC procedure, but his motivations are clear. He is using his position of power to silence dissent at the president’s beck and call. This extraordinary and unconstitutional attack on the media is nothing more than another favor to the most fragile president in U.S. history.  

“The FCC’s ongoing attack on lawful and important diversity, equity and inclusion programs is immoral. The timing of this move suggests unconstitutional retribution for a joke Donald Trump didn’t like. Either way, this dangerous attack on free speech won’t stand up to any First Amendment test. We’ve seen Carr violate his oath to uphold the Constitution again and again. It’s time for Congress to impeach him. 

“For its part, ABC and Disney leadership need to stand strong on behalf of their First Amendment right to air content without government intrusion and censorship. Buckling in advance to pressure by this administration and its obsequious FCC chairman didn’t work for the broadcaster when it suspended Kimmel last year. It would be a grave mistake to buckle in advance again to these kinds of chilling government threats from Trump’s censorship czar.” 

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