Ranking Member Raskin Slams FCC’s Unprecedented Move to Threaten ABC Licenses Over Protected Speech

Ranking Member Raskin Warns FCC Is Abandoning Constitutional and Statutory Constraints and Turning Broadcast Licenses Into a Tool of Political Pressure 

Washington, D.C. (August 3, 2026)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, submitted a public comment urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to rescind its extraordinary decision to compel early renewal of eight Disney-owned ABC broadcast licenses. The comment warns that the FCC’s action departs from decades of settled practice and raises serious First Amendment concerns by appearing to use the Commission’s licensing authority to pressure broadcasters over protected speech and editorial decisions.

“Congress created the Federal Communications Commission […] to serve the public interest—not to serve as a partisan political weapon. Its extraordinary decision to require early renewal of eight Disney-owned ABC broadcast licenses breaks from decades of practice and causes severe constitutional problems by at least appearing to use the Commission’s licensing authority to censor protected speech,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin.

The FCC’s early renewal order threatens to transform the broadcast licensing process into a tool of political pressure. The First Amendment prohibits the government from using its regulatory authority to censor protected speech or burden broadcasters based on their editorial choices, and the Communications Act specifically bars the FCC from interfering with freedom of expression.

The timing of the FCC’s action raises additional First Amendment concerns. The early renewal review was announced shortly after President Trump called for the firing of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel following comments made on the network he didn’t like, while the FCC linked its action to an unrelated DEI investigation. Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez described the move as “the most egregious assault on the First Amendment this FCC has taken to date,” warning that the Commission is exceeding its authority and using licensing power to burden protected speech.

Concerns that Chair Brendan Carr’s FCC may be exceeding its legitimate authority are not limited to Democrats. Senator Ted Cruz, Republican Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the FCC, has compared Chair Carr’s tactics to those of a “mafia boss.” He has also warned that it is “unbelievably dangerous” for the government to threaten voices it disfavors.

“The Commission must reverse course and return administering the law with fairness, political neutrality, and fidelity to the principles that sustain both democratic government and a free press,” concluded Ranking Member Raskin.

If the FCC fails to correct course, further Congressional oversight may be warranted.

Click here to read the comment.