A group of former Federal Communications Commission chairs and top agency officials from both political parties on Tuesday urged current Chairman Brendan Carr to halt an early review of broadcast licenses for ABC-owned television stations, calling the action an assault on free speech. In a filing with the FCC, the former officials said the review—targeting eight ABC stations—represents an effort to censor the network and its parent company, Disney. The officials, who served under Republican and Democratic administrations, described the regulatory move as highly unusual and a misuse of the agency’s power. The FCC typically reviews licenses at renewal time, but Carr initiated an early examination of ABC’s licenses amid ongoing disputes between the network and the Trump administration. Former chairmen and commissioners accused Carr of using the regulatory process to pressure a broadcaster over its editorial content. They warned that such tactics could chill speech and set a dangerous precedent for other media outlets. The filing did not specify what triggered the accelerated review, but it follows complaints from President Donald Trump and his allies about ABC’s coverage. Carr, who was appointed chairman by Trump in 2024, has defended the review as routine oversight. The former officials, however, argued that the action is unprecedented and politically motivated. They called on Carr to abandon the review and reaffirm the FCC’s commitment to protecting First Amendment rights. The FCC has not yet responded to the filing.