House Democrats introduce resolution, launch probes over Kimmel suspension; demand FCC chair’s resignation
House Democrats, led by Rep. Yassamin Ansari, introduced a resolution denouncing ABC’s indefinite preemption of Jimmy Kimmel’s show and demanding FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s resignation, with 113 co‑sponsors and party leaders characterizing Carr’s public warnings to affiliates as improper government pressure. Democratic investigators — including Rep. Robert Garcia’s Oversight probe into ABC, Sinclair and the Trump administration and planned inquiries by Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin — have been launched as the controversy over Carr’s remarks and broadcasters’ preemptions has drawn wide bipartisan and public scrutiny.
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📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Without free speech, America is nothing
"The piece argues that official and institutional reactions to controversial speech—exemplified by the Kimmel preemptions amid FCC pressure—undermine America’s foundational free‑speech norms and risk entrenching government‑aligned censorship."
📰 Sources (19)
Sinclair ends Jimmy Kimmel ban after sidelining host amid Charlie Kirk controversy
New information:
- Sinclair Broadcast Group has ended its preemption of ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and said the show will return on Friday.
- Sinclair disclosed it proposed measures to ABC—including a network-wide independent ombudsman—to strengthen accountability, though ABC/Disney have not adopted them.
- Sinclair explicitly stated its decision was independent of any government interaction and framed the move as consistent with free-speech principles.
Bernie Sanders demands Nexstar to air Jimmy Kimmel while denouncing 'political pressure' on TV stations
New information:
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I‑Vt.) sent a formal letter to Nexstar CEO Perry Sook demanding Nexstar restore 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' to its Burlington, Vt., affiliate and stations nationwide.
- Sanders posted on X decrying 'political pressure' from President Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr and described the preemption as 'un‑American' and a 'dangerous precedent.'
- Sanders suggested the Nexstar decision may be connected to the company's forthcoming $6 billion merger with Tegna.
400 entertainers co-sign ACLU letter supporting Jimmy Kimmel
New information:
- A new ACLU-led open letter with 400+ entertainment industry signatories protests the government pressure that preceded Kimmel’s suspension.
- The letter and ACLU chief Anthony D. Romero’s statement frame the episode as a free‑speech crisis, complementing congressional scrutiny of FCC actions.
- NPR again highlights FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s remark that broadcasters could face “additional work for the FCC” if they did not act on Kimmel.
Rand Paul slams FCC commissioner's 'absolutely inappropriate' Jimmy Kimmel comments
New information:
- Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) publicly condemned FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s remarks pressuring ABC over Jimmy Kimmel as 'absolutely inappropriate' and said the FCC should have 'nothing to do with it.'
- Paul vowed to oppose any government attempt to get involved in speech, while noting employers can enforce conduct codes independently of government.
- Fox reports Sinclair thanked Carr for his comments and outlined conditions it wants Kimmel to meet before resuming carriage on its stations.
Karoline Leavitt says Obama 'has no idea what he's talking about' after Kimmel comments
New information:
- Leavitt directly responded to Barack Obama’s public criticism by asserting he was wrong and reiterating that ABC executives made the decision independently.
- She provided a White House timeline indicating President Trump learned of the suspension during the U.K. visit and had not pressed ABC.
Ted Cruz criticizes Trump-appointed FCC chair for urging "action" on Jimmy Kimmel
New information:
- Republican Sen. Ted Cruz sharply criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s public pressure on ABC, calling it 'dangerous as hell' and likening it to a mafia shakedown.
- Cruz warned that government pressure on broadcasters could be used against conservatives under a future Democratic administration.
- President Donald Trump praised Carr as 'courageous' and said he disagrees with Cruz’s criticism.
- FCC Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez condemned ABC’s decision to preempt Kimmel as 'cowardly corporate capitulation' and said the FCC lacks authority to police lawful speech.
How FCC chair Brendan Carr is leading Trump's charge against the media
New information:
- Trump, speaking Thursday on Air Force One, said networks are '97% against me' and floated taking away licenses, saying 'It will be up to Brendan Carr.'
- NPR reports Carr has launched formal investigations of nearly every major broadcast network (except Fox), including probes of NPR and PBS over alleged advertising violations.
- CBS and ABC each settled Trump lawsuits for $16 million; NPR ties those settlements and FCC leverage to subsequent corporate actions, including CBS pulling The Late Show and pledging a news ombudsman as Skydance’s takeover won FCC approval.
- Carr has publicly cheered Trump’s private media lawsuits and signaled he will extract concessions during FCC deal reviews.
Why Congress' Democrats are going all out to fight and investigate Jimmy Kimmel's suspension
New information:
- Rep. Yassamin Ansari is introducing a House resolution denouncing Kimmel’s suspension and the FCC’s alleged role, co‑sponsored by 113 Democrats.
- House Oversight ranking member Robert Garcia has launched an investigation into ABC, Sinclair Broadcasting and the Trump administration over the suspension.
- Rep. Ro Khanna moved (unsuccessfully) to subpoena FCC Chair Brendan Carr at an Oversight hearing.
- House Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin signaled plans for a separate investigation.
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded that Trump supports free speech and called Democrats’ claims false.
Kirk's death fuels free speech disputes. And, vaccine panel changes MMRV guidance
New information:
- NPR reports President Trump said broadcasters that allow criticism of him should potentially lose their license.
- A Democratic FCC member told NPR’s Tamara Keith that Chair Brendan Carr cannot revoke a license merely over a joke or criticism.
- Cato Institute legal scholar Ilya Somin told NPR that government efforts to get someone fired over speech implicate First Amendment concerns (government weaponizing speech).
Obama accuses Trump administration of taking 'cancel culture' to 'dangerous level' amid media threats
New information:
- Direct quotation of Obama’s X post framing the administration’s actions as weaponized 'cancel culture' and regulatory coercion.
- Carr’s phrasing about potential FCC 'avenues' and an 'easy way or hard way' choice for Disney/ABC.
Obama calls Jimmy Kimmel suspension "government coercion"
New information:
- Barack Obama publicly called the suspension/preemption of Jimmy Kimmel’s show 'government coercion,' per Axios.
- Obama’s comments specifically tie the controversy to alleged government pressure on broadcasters following FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s warnings.
- Timing: Axios reports the remarks on Sept. 18, 2025.
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death
New information:
- New direct quotes from FCC Chair Carr asserting a 'strong case' to hold ABC/Disney/Kimmel accountable and suggesting potential FCC action.
- Expanded business context linking FCC decisions to Disney’s ESPN–NFL Network deal and Nexstar’s $6.2B Tegna acquisition.
- AP details Trump’s public praise and restates Nexstar’s specific rationale and footprint (23 ABC affiliates).
Jimmy Kimmel suspension spurs House Democratic leaders to demand FCC chair resign
New information:
- House Democratic leaders publicly called for FCC Chair Brendan Carr to resign.
- The demand is explicitly tied to the suspension/preemption of Jimmy Kimmel’s show and Carr’s public statements warning broadcasters about public‑interest obligations.
- Axios reports Democratic leadership is escalating the issue, framing Carr’s conduct as improper government pressure.
ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel off air after comments made about the Charlie Kirk killing
New information:
- ABC told NPR 'Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely' (on‑record network statement).
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr explicitly warned affiliates on a podcast: 'We can do this the easy way or the hard way,' signaling potential FCC action.
- Context that Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger while it pulls Kimmel from its ABC stations.
- SAG‑AFTRA, the Musicians Union, and the Writers Guild of America sent letters supporting Kimmel and denouncing efforts to silence the show.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, comedians, actors, and free‑speech groups publicly criticized the suspension as censorship.
- Trump praised ABC’s move on Truth Social and urged NBC to cancel other late‑night hosts (Fallon, Meyers).
- NPR recounts Kimmel’s remarks that drew backlash and notes he had previously called Kirk’s murder 'senseless' and posted condolences.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr defends ABC affiliates pulling Jimmy Kimmel show after monologue mocking Charlie Kirk
New information:
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr backed affiliates’ decisions and distinguished broadcasters’ public‑interest obligations from cable channels.
- Carr said the FCC aims to reinvigorate public‑interest enforcement and called the affiliates’ actions 'unprecedented.'
- ACLU condemned the suspensions as chilling speech and alleged federal pressure.
Jimmy Kimmel show is pulled by ABC after comments about the Charlie Kirk killing
New information:
- ABC told NPR that 'Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely.'
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr, in an interview with Benny Johnson, explicitly warned affiliates they risk fines or license revocations if they continue to air Kimmel amid a 'pattern of news distortion,' urging preemption until resolved (full quote provided).
- Nexstar said its ABC affiliates will stop airing Kimmel 'indefinitely' and framed the move as promoting 'respectful, constructive dialogue'; NPR notes Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2B merger with TEGNA.
- Former President Trump praised ABC’s move from Windsor Castle, incorrectly claiming the show was 'canceled' (NPR clarifies it is preempted), adding a White House reaction detail.
- NPR notes investigators have not announced a motive in Kirk’s killing, underscoring the ongoing nature of the case that catalyzed the controversy.
Dozens of ABC stations to air Charlie Kirk tribute special during Jimmy Kimmel's timeslot
New information:
- Sinclair Broadcast Group (30 ABC affiliates) will air a Charlie Kirk tribute special Friday in Jimmy Kimmel’s timeslot.
- Sinclair says it will keep Kimmel off its stations until ABC addresses professionalism/accountability and Kimmel issues a direct apology and makes a donation to the Kirk family/TPUSA.
- Nexstar Media Group also announced it is pre‑empting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on its ABC affiliates, calling his remarks offensive and not in the public interest.
- Disney/ABC has pre‑empted Kimmel indefinitely; Sinclair had already suspended the show and now fills the slot with the tribute special.
ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel after Charlie Kirk comments
New information:
- Axios reports ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel following his comments about Charlie Kirk.
- The move comes amid broader scrutiny of media reactions to the assassination.
Jimmy Kimmel tears into Trump over his response to Charlie Kirk assassination
New information:
- Date: Sept. 11, 2025 broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live
- Kimmel condemned Kirk’s killing and criticized Trump for blaming Democrats’ rhetoric
- Kimmel noted Obama, Biden, Bush and Clinton issued unifying remarks; said Trump did not
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended Trump and rebuked Kimmel in a statement to Fox News Digital
- Trump’s Truth Social post warned that demonizing political opponents leads to violence