ABC sues FCC to stop early license review tied to Trump-era feud
Why it matters: The suit tests whether federal regulators can scrutinize a broadcaster over programming and DEI policies.
Disney-owned ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission in federal court in Washington on Tuesday, accusing the agency of running a retaliatory campaign over programming critical of President Donald Trump. The network asked the court to halt an early renewal process for several ABC broadcast station licenses that the FCC opened in April, years before they were due to expire. ABC argued the review was unlawful and unconstitutional and said it has suffered irreparable harm. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has said the agency’s focus is Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices, not protected speech. The dispute also follows political backlash over comments on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show and criticism of ABC’s daytime program “The View.”