Disney's ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleging the agency's challenges to its broadcast licenses and regulation of "The View" are illegal attempts to quash speech the Trump administration finds objectionable.

The lawsuit claims the administration has repeatedly attacked ABC's speech—stories its journalists report and viewpoints its network programs air—escalating to express demands that ABC be stripped of its broadcast licenses. ABC seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to halt the FCC's license-renewal process.

The conflict began last year when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launched a probe into Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to determine whether they violated the agency's prohibition on unlawful discrimination. The scrutiny intensified following criticism of President Trump by ABC's Jimmy Kimmel and "The View" hosts.

ABC argues the FCC's actions constitute government retaliation against protected speech, violating the First Amendment and the Communications Act. The case now heads to the D.C. Circuit Court for a hearing on the requested injunction.