House Democrats Demand Resignation of FCC Chair Over Kimmel Suspension

House Democratic leaders on Thursday condemned ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night program after his remarks about Charlie Kirk, and they directed their fire at Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, saying he has engaged in the corrupt abuse of power and should resign immediately. The statement was signed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York; Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts; Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California; Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu of California; Assistant Leader Joe Neguse of Colorado; and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene of Washington. The lawmakers argued that Carr had bulllied ABC, the employer of Kimmel, and forced the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration, calling for his resignation.

They contended that Carr threatened penalties for ABC if it did not discipline Kimmel for comments from Monday’s show that touched on the killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist. The lawmakers cited a broader theme of suppressing dissent, quoting that Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s war on the First Amendment is blatantly inconsistent with American values. They argued that media companies have a lot to explain in the wake of the suspension, characterizing the censorship of artists and cancellations of shows as acts of cowardice and suggesting it may be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme. “This will not be forgotten,” the statement read.

Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, announced Thursday that he is launching a probe into the Trump administration, ABC and Sinclair, a media company that owns many ABC affiliates. Garcia said the inquiry will examine whether political interference or other improper schemes threaten free speech. “We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats. Anyone who is complicit will need to answer to us,” Garcia said.

Senate Democrats weighed in as well. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts drew a line between ABC’s move and CBS’s earlier decision to end “The Late Show” in May 2026, framing it as part of a pattern of corporate actions that silence dissent. “First Colbert, now Kimmel,” she said, arguing that Trump silencing free speech harms democracy and that giant media companies may be enabling his agenda. Warren’s comments echoed complaints about perceived political motives behind major network decisions.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York also weighed in, saying the condemnation of ABC’s move should be bipartisan and that the issue “must go to court.” Schumer framed the matter as a test of democratic norms and free expression, suggesting that legal action could be an avenue for resolution.

The episode underscores ongoing political fault lines over media governance, corporate power, and the role of government in policing content. While Democrats frame the case as a defense of First Amendment principles and congressional oversight, supporters of network decisions emphasize corporate and financial considerations. As lawmakers on both sides of the aisle monitor outcomes, the situation adds to a broader debate about the limits of executive influence on media and the pressures facing entertainment and news outlets amid a polarized political landscape.