ABC Files Suit Against FCC License Order

U.S. · 2026-08-18 23:52:04

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ABC filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, contesting a directive for early renewal of its local station permits. The Financial Times reported that Disney filed a separate suit against the Trump administration in August 2026 over a retaliatory review of those broadcast licenses. The FCC is currently reviewing the permits.

The complaint characterizes the FCC directive as content-based retaliation under Chairman Brendan Carr, the Guardian US reported. The Financial Times added that the suit cites First Amendment violations and names the Trump administration. The PBS NewsHour confirmed the regulatory challenge targets ABC's license and that the complaint identifies the Trump administration as the executive body overseeing the agency.

Sources