Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC, chided the agency for launching an early review of ABC stations’ broadcast licenses, calling it a politically motivated attempt to stifle speech.

Earlier on Tuesday, the FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr ordered an early license renewal process for eight stations owned by ABC, citing an investigation into the diversity, equity and inclusion programs at The Walt Disney Co. But the move follows calls by President Donald Trump and Melania Trump to fire Jimmy Kimmel, after he made a joke about the first lady being an “expectant widow” on a show last week.

Gomez said in a statement, “This is the most egregious action this FCC has taken in violation of the First Amendment to date. As part of its ongoing campaign of censorship and control, the White House called publicly for the silencing of a vocal critic, and this FCC has now answered that call.

“This is an unprecedented and politically motivated attempt to interfere with how broadcasters operate, and this unlawful overreach will fail. This should be a lesson to media companies that no amount of capitulation to this Administration will buy them protection. The only choice is to stand up and stand firm in defense of the First Amendment.”

Other groups also condemned the FCC’s action. Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel at the Foundation for Equal Rights and Expression, said in a statement, Brendan Carr’s FCC subjecting Disney-owned-and-operated television stations to an early license renewal proceeding because of jokes in a late-night monologue is viewpoint retaliation. 

“The FCC may claim these actions are based on DEI policies and have nothing to do with Jimmy Kimmel, but its timing makes it clear these justifications are a fig leaf. This campaign against a disfavored broadcaster violates the First Amendment, pure and simple.”

More to come.