RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 11 sourcesThe lone Democratic FCC commissioner left on the panel accused the Trump administration of trying to ‘punish’ ABC and Disney because they don’t like the late-night show’s speech
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The lone Democratic member on the Federal Communications Commission praised Disney and ABC Tuesday for suing to stop the Trump administration from reviewing its broadcasting license ahead of schedule, accusing her boss of trying to bend the law.
Anna Gomez, a commissioner on the FCC, said in a statement she was “glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up” to challenge President Donald Trump’s attempts to exert more control over broadcasts by threatening to revoke licenses.
“It is time this administration understands that the Constitution does not bend to political convenience, and that the First Amendment protects the news and commentary Americans see on their screens even when those in power wish it didn’t,” Gomez wrote.
Her bold statement came shortly after Disney and ABC sued the FCC for trying to force a review of its broadcast licenses years before they expire. The media companies allege the effort is part of an ongoing censorship campaign, citing Trump’s critical statements about ABC.
Gomez has previously issued statements in opposition to Trump and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s ongoing pressure campaign against ABC.
She’s previously accused her bosses of “ targeting Disney ” in a “ campaign of censorship and control ” because the administration has been highly critical of ABC’s reporting and shows such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The View.”
Gomez reiterated her concerns Tuesday, saying the FCC’s decision to threaten Disney’s ABC stations with broadcast license revocations was motivated by a desire “to punish a company for speech this administration doesn’t like.”
Earlier this year, the FCC ordered eight Disney-owned television stations to file broadcast license renewals at least two years ahead of schedule.
The request came after months of pressure from the administration and highly critical comments from Trump.
Already, the FCC had launched an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices as well as a separate probe into “The View” — a show that Trump has called “ pathetic .”
The commission had also been embroiled in a controversy with late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel made critical remarks following Charlie Kirk’s death. Carr threatened to revoke ABC stations’ broadcast licenses, causing the stations to pull Kimmel’s show temporarily from the air.
But long before the incident, Trump had called Kimmel “stupid ,” untalented , and said he hoped to play a “major part” in forcing the late-night host, among others, off the air.
Disney and ABC cited these instances of alleged “retaliation” in its lawsuit, saying it amounted to coercion to comply with Trump’s preferences.
Disney is asking a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to stop the FCC from taking or threatening to take action against the company and its ABC stations related to early license renewal applications.
Several people, including Gomez, have backed Disney and ABC’s efforts, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which called the suit “the day of reckoning for Brendan Carr,” and Senator Bernie Sanders, who described it as pushback against a “dictatorship.”
Gomez said the lawsuit “should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence.”
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