FCC Chairman grilled by senator over ABC Jimmy Kimmel controversy

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., scolded Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr during a hearing Wednesday, saying the senator should resign because of what he called “mob threats.”

Carr appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee in September to discuss his call for broadcasters to consider taking ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel off the air; critics said it was a move that amounted to a veiled threat against ABC and Disney for comments Kimmel made about the alleged Charlie Kirk assassin.

Markey pressed Carr during the hearing, citing the president’s past social media posts about defending the First Amendment.

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“This is why your threats against ABC and Disney over Jimmy Kimmel’s political monologue are so outrageous,” Markey said.

“And in September 2025, as chairman of the FCC, you said: ‘We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can obviously find ways to change behavior or take action on Kimmel, otherwise there will be additional work ahead for the FCC.’ This statement was strongly condemned across the political spectrum. President [Sen. Ted] Cruz called it ‘dangerous as hell.’ Chairman Carr, do you regret making this statement? Yes or no?”

Carr responded by saying his job was, first and foremost, to enforce the law.

“To be clear: Your position is that your mob threats had nothing to do with Nexstar, Sinclair, and Disney’s decisions to block and suspend Kimmel. Is that your view? You had nothing to do with Kimmel’s suspension?” Markey asked.

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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr was peppered with questions during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Wednesday. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

When Carr said that all the media companies involved (Nexstar, Sinclair, and Disney) had made business decisions to temporarily suspend Kimmel’s show, Markey argued that it was a distinction without a difference.

“Once again, you refuse to take responsibility for your own words,” Markey said. “You intimidate companies, they do what you want, and then you say, ‘That’s up to them.'” You are the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. In fact, you are now chairman of the Federal Commission on Censorship.”

“And these publishers also feel this censorship. You have broad authority over the media industry, especially broadcasters. Your words and actions matter,” the MP added.

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The brief suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel continues to cast a long shadow over American politics. (Randy Holmes/Getty)

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Markey later concluded: “It turns the Federal Communications Commission into the Federal Censorship Commission. This is a betrayal of the FCC’s mission. You should resign, Mr. Chairman. You are making a chilling impression.”