The former officials said the review represents an unprecedented use of the FCC’s licensing authority and threatens broadcasters’ constitutionally protected editorial discretion. The FCC’s Media Bureau in April ordered Disney to submit early renewal applications for eight ABC-owned stations, more than two years before the licenses were scheduled to enter their normal renewal cycle. The former officials rejected that explanation, calling the review “an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process.” The former FCC officials said those petitions improperly ask the commission to regulate “word choices, fact-checks, time covering certain topics, personnel, and the licensees’ perceived viewpoints.” Anna Gomez, the only Democratic commissioner at the FCC, disputed the suggestion that broadcasters are required to carry presidential addresses.