ABC Accuses FCC of Retaliatory License Review

The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleging that the agency’s early review of the network’s eight local broadcast licenses is part of an "ongoing retaliation campaign" by the Trump administration. ABC says the review, initiated by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, is aimed at chilling the network’s news coverage and free‑speech rights after comments by host Jimmy Kimmel and other perceived slights.

The filing notes more than 150,000 public comments supporting ABC’s position, cites previous threats by President Donald Trump against the network, and warns that the action could pressure other media outlets to conform to the administration’s viewpoint. ABC’s legal team, which now includes trial lawyer Beth Wilkinson alongside seasoned litigators Paul Clement and Horacio Gutierrez, maintains that the stations meet the public‑interest standard for license renewal.

The dispute highlights a rare regulatory move, as the licenses in question are not slated to expire until 2028, and raises broader concerns about government pressure on broadcasters.