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ABC asks court to block FCC's early license review; judge has not ruled

Preliminary-injunction request argued; no ruling expected before additional briefing

Edited by The Inner Circle Ledger · Summary of linked reporting

Donald Trump

Source published: Oct 6, 2026 · 2:14 PM EDT · Event: 2026-10-06

Associated Press reports that ABC asked a federal judge to stop the Federal Communications Commission from conducting an unusually early review of eight ABC-owned stations' broadcast licenses. ABC alleges the review retaliates for programming and reporting disliked by Trump and chills editorial decisions. The judge did not immediately rule.

Response / context

Government lawyers argued that the district court lacks jurisdiction, that the case belongs in another venue and that ABC had not shown irreparable harm. They also argued that blocking the FCC from examining whether broadcasters satisfy statutory duties would harm the government and public. ABC's complaint and courtroom arguments state allegations, not findings; the judge requested further briefs before ruling.

Dates and scope

Source publication: Oct 6, 2026 · 2:14 PM EDT

Event or conduct: 2026-10-06. A federal judge heard arguments on ABC's preliminary-injunction request October 6 and requested additional briefs due October 9 and October 14.

Source review: Oct 6, 2026 · 4:21 PM EDT

Dated report. Publication, event and review times are different; the review time is when the sources were last checked, not a live update.

This brief preserves the available response and disposition. Coverage is non-exhaustive. How we review sources.

Read the original sources

  1. Associated Press: ABC and Trump's FCC battle in federal court over issues of free speech and jurisdiction ↗

    Court-hearing reporting - October 6

  2. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia via CourtListener: ABC et al. v. FCC et al. - Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief ↗

    Primary complaint - August 18

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