Senator Rand Paul (R‑KY) strongly criticized comments by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr regarding ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, calling them “absolutely inappropriate.” Paul made his remarks on Meet the Press, arguing that Carr crossed a constitutional line by suggesting regulatory consequences for ABC in response to Kimmel’s controversial monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
According to Paul, while people have the right to make offensive or provocative remarks, no one has a right to remain employed for every statement they make. He emphasized that private media companies can and often do respond to public backlash or controversy by discipline or dismissal—but that does not justify government intervention. “Brendan Carr’s got no business weighing in on this,” Paul said, stating that governmental involvement in controlling or influencing media content is incompatible with free speech principles.
Paul acknowledged that networks may face internal pressure or advertiser backlash for content people find objectionable. That, he said, is part of the free market of ideas. But when a regulatory official like the FCC chair suggests using licensing or regulatory powers to enforce speech norms, it poses a threat. He warned against allowing regulators to chill speech, even speech viewed as disagreeable, because opening that door jeopardizes broader civil liberties.
Paul’s comments came as the fallout from Kimmel’s monologue continues. ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, and major ABC affiliates dropped the show from their lineups. Carr had earlier made statements implying that broadcasters have obligations under their licenses to serve the public interest, and hinted that ABC and its parent company might face regulatory scrutiny if they fail to take action regarding Kimmel’s remarks.
Paul said he will oppose any attempt by the government to punish speech through regulation or licensing threats. He sees Carr’s intervention not as a defense of public standards or misinformation control, but as political pressure misusing federal oversight. For Paul, the principle is clear: government should not be in the business of penalizing speech just because it offends those in power.
