ABC Fires Back at FCC Over ‘Attempted Censorship’

The network argued the Trump administration is retaliating against it for exercising its First Amendment rights.

Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, testifies before a House subcommittee.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” FCC chairman Brendan Carr told ABC in September 2025. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA via AP

ABC News accused the Trump administration of attempting to censor the network in a new regulatory filing responding to the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to review the broadcast licenses of its owned-and-operated television stations years before they are set to expire.

The television network, which has been targeted by the FCC because of its programming and on-air comments, argues the administration “is retaliating against ABC for the exercise of its First Amendment rights.”

“The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the Administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price,” the 119-page filing said.