Mehdi Unfiltered 'Unprecedented' & 'Egregious' Free Speech Attack: Democratic FCC Commissioner on Trump, Kimmel, and Disney
Apr 29, 2026
Anna Gomez, the FCC's sole Democratic commissioner, talks broadcast licensing, why Disney stations were hit with early renewal orders, and how those moves raise First Amendment and agency independence questions. She critiques politicized timing, explores limits of FCC content power, and warns about chilling effects on speech.
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Pattern Of Retaliation Across Agencies
- The current administration uses regulatory authority to retaliate against critics and intimidate media companies.
- Gomez frames the FCC action as part of a broader pattern of retaliation and censorship from the White House.
FCC Weaponizing Early License Reviews
- The FCC is using license renewals to pressure Disney by reviewing eight ABC local stations early.
- Anna Gomez calls the move unprecedented, unlawful, and an egregious assault on the First Amendment aimed at intimidating parent companies.
Political Satire Is Protected From FCC Enforcement
- Content disputes like Jimmy Kimmel's joke shouldn't be matters for FCC enforcement because the First Amendment protects political satire.
- Gomez cautions that government jawboning about content chills speech and isn't the correct remedy for offensive jokes.