ABC and Trump’s FCC battle in federal court over issues of free speech and jurisdiction

A lawyer for ABC asked a federal judge on Tuesday to stop the Trump administration from conducting an early review of its broadcast licenses, comparing the action to a looming execution by guillotine that was already affecting the network's editorial decisions. The lawsuit, filed in August, was brought by ABC and its parent company, Disney, after the FCC ordered eight ABC-owned stations to submit renewal applications for their broadcast licenses prematurely.

U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan, nominated by President Joe Biden, did not immediately rule on ABC's request for a preliminary injunction, but the government argued the court lacks jurisdiction over the case and challenged ABC's First Amendment arguments. The case is one of several legal battles between Trump's administration and news outlets over coverage and access to the executive branch.