RELEASE: Reps. Friedman, Chu, Correa Lead Press Conference Fighting Back Against FCC’s Weaponization of Regulatory Power to Silence Critics

Above: Friedman speaking in front of the Kimmel Studios.

 LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, May 6, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30), led a rally with Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28) and Lou Correa (CA-46) to fight back against the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision forcing early license renewals for Disney’s ABC-owned stations. The FCC’s action was taken one day after President Trump publicly demanded ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel. Friedman called for full congressional oversight of the FCC's communications with the White House, including hearings and subpoenas, under a future Democratic majority.

A recording of the press conference can be found here.

On April 28, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ordered Disney to file early license renewals for all eight ABC-owned broadcast stations which were not due for renewal until 2028 at the earliest. The order came one day after President Trump posted on social media that Kimmel “should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC” following a White House Correspondents’ Dinner parody. Carr cited a year-old DEI investigation as justification, but the investigation had seen no action since it was opened in March 2025.

“The President demanded a firing on Monday. The FCC pulled the licenses on Tuesday. That’s just blatant retaliation,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “This is a coordinated campaign to punish media companies that criticize the President and it’s been a long running pattern for this President’s Administration. Now, they’re threatening ABC’s licenses to make sure everyone else falls in line. When Democrats take back the majority, we will hold this FCC accountable — with hearings, subpoenas, and legislation.”

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in NRA v. Vullo that government officials cannot coerce private parties to punish or suppress disfavored speech. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, one of the agency’s two Democratic members, called the license review “the most egregious action this FCC has taken in violation of the First Amendment to date,” stating that “the White House called publicly for the silencing of a vocal critic, and this FCC has now answered that call.” The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression called the action “viewpoint retaliation.”

ESCALATING ATTACKS ON ABC AND FREE SPEECH:

• December 2024: Disney pays Trump $16 million to settle the Stephanopoulos defamation case, including $15 million to Trump’s presidential library
• September 2025: FCC Chairman Carr threatens ABC’s licenses; Nexstar pulls Kimmel’s show; Disney suspends Kimmel indefinitely; Friedman organizes rally drawing hundreds
• April 23, 2026: Kimmel airs White House Correspondents’ Dinner parody
• April 27, 2026: Trump posts that Kimmel “should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC”
• April 28, 2026: FCC orders early license renewals for all eight ABC-owned stations

FRIEDMAN’S ACTIONS FIGHTING BACK:

• Called for full congressional oversight of the FCC’s communications with the White House, including hearings and subpoenas, under a future Democratic majority
• Led the first major rally defending free speech outside the Kimmel Studios in September 2025, drawing hundreds of supporters and national media coverage
• Organized today’s press conference bringing together Members of Congress, a veteran, former reporters, and free speech advocates

Friedman was joined by Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28) and Lou Correa (CA-46), former reporter and content creator Heather Gardner, Iraq War veteran and independent journalist Jerrod Zisser, and comedian and influencer Lisandra Vazquez.

Below: Reps. Friedman, Chu, and Correa alongside former reporter and content creator Heather Gardner, Iraq War veteran and independent journalist Jerrod Zisser, and comedian and influencer Lisandra Vazquez.

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