Rep. Ted Lieu Criticizes FCC Chairman at Free Speech Rally

Rep. Ted Lieu from California criticized Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr during a free speech rally in Los Angeles on Monday.

“Carr is a radical extremist who misuses his authority,” Lieu, who is vice-speaker of the House Democrats, declared alongside fellow California Democrats including Laura Friedman, Judy Chu, Nanette Barragan, Brad Sherman, and Gil Cisneros.

Emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power, Lieu suggested that ABC should consider suing the FCC.

“ABC, you face a choice,” he remarked. “You can either let yourself be intimidated or stand up for your rights, uphold the First Amendment—the amendment that many Americans have fought and sacrificed for.”

“If you choose to stand up, we will support you,” he added.

Criticism of Carr has increased among lawmakers on Capitol Hill since last week’s suspension of ABC and its parent company, Disney. Disney announced on Monday that Kimmel would make a return to the air on Tuesday night.

Kimmel had mocked conservatives for attempting to gain political leverage from the recent shooting involving Charlie Kirk, quipping lightly about the situation and suggesting that “a four-year-old child is grieving over a goldfish,” while joking that former President Trump was also mourning Kirk’s death.

Just hours before Kimmel’s suspension, Carr spoke with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, stating that, “unless something beneficial arises for our community, we should reject this nonsense.”

Following the action against Kimmel, Carr received praise from some for his decision. However, critics, including some Republicans, accused the FCC chairman of exerting pressure that smacked of government censorship.

Disney explained Kimmel’s temporary removal, noting it was to prevent further aggravation during an already tense period in the country.

The day after Kimmel’s suspension, House Democratic leaders, including Lieu, called for Carr’s resignation in a joint statement led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Brendan Carr, the so-called chairman of the FCC, is misusing power in a corrupt manner,” the statement claimed. “He has pressured ABC and forced them to submit to the Trump administration.”

In response, Carr accused Democrats of running a “projection and distortion campaign” regarding his involvement in Kimmel’s suspension. Carr was appointed by Trump in November 2024 and took office the following January.