The television network, which has been targeted by the FCC because of its programming and on-air comments , argues the administration “is retaliating against ABC for the exercise of its First Amendment rights.” “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” FCC chairman Brendan Carr told ABC in September 2025. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Some of the stations the FCC wants to review are based in cities including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Individual viewers have submitted more than 150,000 comments concerning the “untimely” license renewal request — 96% of which are supportive of ABC, the network says.