WASHINGTON

Top US House Democratic leaders slammed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr on Thursday, following the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from the ABC network.

"Brendan Carr, the so-called Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has engaged in the corrupt abuse of power," the leaders in the lower chamber said in a joint statement.

"He has disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration. FCC Chair Brendan Carr should resign immediately."

The statement came one day after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air “indefinitely” after the late-night talk show host and comedian faced backlash for his comments about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The controversy stemmed from Kimmel’s Monday night monologue in which he suggested that Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Kirk last week at a university in Utah, was linked to US President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

The lawmakers framed Kimmel’s suspension as part of a broader effort by Republicans to erode First Amendment protections and suppress dissenting voices in the media.

"Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s war on the First Amendment is blatantly inconsistent with American values," the statement said.

"The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice. It may also be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme."

The Democratic leaders signaled they are prepared to take action, promising to investigate the matter and warning that “the relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power” may follow.

"This will not be forgotten."

Trump, who has long sparred with Kimmel, praised the decision on his Truth Social account Wednesday.

“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even (comedian and talk show host Stephen) Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and (Late Night host) Seth (Myers), two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” he wrote.