ABC Sues FCC Over Early License Renewals, Alleges Retaliation Against Free Speech

ABC has filed a First Amendment lawsuit in federal court accusing the FCC and the Trump-era administration of a retaliatory campaign to curb ABC’s free speech. The lawsuit seeks to halt an FCC proceeding to renew eight ABC stations’ licenses early and argues the agency could use hearings to deny or revoke licenses. It names FCC Chair Brendan Carr and two commissioners, cites attacks on ABC by Trump, and notes the case aims for swift injunctions to protect editorial discretion. Lead counsel is Beth Wilkinson.