Take Immediate Action To Stop Government Censorship

Confront The Radical Threat To The First Amendment And Freedom Of Speech The Trump administration and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are crossing a dangerous line by pressuring broadcasters to silence critics. ABC’s suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” followed threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr about license consequences. When a regulator makes such threats and a broadcaster pulls a program, that is not a free editorial choice - it is government intimidation and a First Amendment violation. Recognize Why This Is Unconstitutional The Supreme Court has long barred government from coercing private actors to suppress lawful expression. Orders and implied threats alike amount to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. The chilling effect here is undeniable. The American Civil Liberties Union and other press-freedom groups warn the FCC’s conduct is retaliation against protected speech. If a broadcaster risks losing its license for satire, free expression is gutted. Expose The Escalating Pattern This case is not isolated. President Trump and senior aides have vowed to “stop” disfavored media “at each and every level” while floating prosecutions for speech they dislike. Combined with FCC licensing leverage, that rhetoric signals to every journalist, comedian, and artist that criticism may invite punishment. These tactics echo authoritarian regimes that weaponize regulation to silence dissent. Take Bold Congressional Action Now 1. Hold oversight hearings with FCC leadership and demand records of contacts with Disney/ABC and the White House. Subpoena documents if necessary. 2. Legislate guardrails forbidding agencies from threatening licenses or enforcement against lawful speech, whether humorous, critical, or controversial. 3. Codify protections for media entities, journalists, and whistleblowers resisting political coercion. 4. Affirm publicly that even offensive expression remains protected, and that broadcast licenses must never be used as partisan weapons. Act Now To Protect The First Amendment If regulators can chill a comedian today, reporters and citizens will be next. The media landscape will shrink to government-approved voices. This is not speculation - it is happening now, and the Kimmel case proves it. The First Amendment is the cornerstone of democracy, and it cannot survive if regulatory fear replaces editorial independence. Congress must act immediately to prevent federal power from becoming a tool of censorship.