WASHINGTON, D.C. — A programming decision has escalated into a test of presidential power, federal regulation and press freedom after President Donald Trump demanded that ABC and NBC lose broadcast licenses for declining to air his election-security address live.
Trump accused the networks of participating in a “plot” and said their licenses should be revoked. ABC and NBC streamed the speech through digital platforms rather than carrying it on their primary broadcast channels, a choice networks have also made during previous Democratic administrations.
The Federal Communications Commission does not license national networks directly. It licenses local stations, including stations owned by ABC parent Disney and NBC parent Comcast. Revoking a station license requires several steps and can be challenged before the commission and federal courts.
The threat carries more weight because FCC Chair Brendan Carr has already ordered an early review of licenses held by eight ABC-owned stations. ABC has aggressively challenged the process. Carr has also scrutinized Comcast’s diversity practices and relationships with independently owned affiliates.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the agency’s only Democrat, said editorial decisions are protected by the First Amendment and cannot lawfully be punished by regulators. Legal experts warned that connecting license proceedings to Trump’s political complaints would strengthen claims of viewpoint discrimination. ABC has until Aug. 5 to answer petitions seeking denial of its station renewals.
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