Ted Cruz Grills Biden Officials in Explosive Border Hearing: Watch the Viral Moments

WASHINGTON — Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday condemned Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr’s threat to revoke ABC’s broadcast license over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air jokes, calling the move “dangerous as hell” and likening it to mob tactics aimed at silencing speech. Carr suggested fines or license revocation after Kimmel mocked conservative pundit Charlie Kirk’s remarks about political violence, provoking swift backlash from Cruz, who chairs the powerful Senate Commerce Committee overseeing the FCC. In a morning press conference outside the Capitol, Cruz said, “A free press and a late-night comic’s bad joke may both offend you, but the Constitution doesn’t give government the power to pull a network off the air whenever officials take umbrage. That’s what dictators do, not public servants.” The senator urged Carr to “rethink this authoritarian stunt” and confirmed his committee will summon the chair for a hearing on September 26 to explain the legal basis for any enforcement action. The FCC flare-up comes as Cruz positions himself as a guardian of First Amendment rights amid the GOP’s internal debate over conservative media strategy. While many Republicans routinely accuse mainstream outlets of bias, few have endorsed government reprisals. Cruz’s forceful rebuke distances him from hard-line voices who cheered Carr’s threat and underscores his ongoing push to expand the party’s appeal to libertarian-leaning voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Industry groups quickly rallied behind Cruz. The National Association of Broadcasters called Carr’s comments “reckless brinkmanship,” warning that yanking ABC affiliates’ licenses would jeopardize thousands of local jobs. Disney, ABC’s parent company, declined to comment on potential legal action but said in a statement it “values robust, sometimes irreverent, free expression.” Cruz’s clash with Carr also intertwines with wider battles over Big Tech and content moderation. Last month the senator introduced the FREE Act, legislation to bar federal agencies from pressuring social-media platforms to remove lawful speech. “Whether it’s Facebook algorithms or FCC licenses, Washington bureaucrats don’t get to decide which voices are heard,” he said. Democrats, however, blasted Cruz for “selective outrage,” noting his past calls to investigate Twitter and Facebook for allegedly censoring conservatives. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the Commerce Committee’s ranking member, said she welcomes an oversight hearing but warned against “turning the dais into a campaign rally.” For Cruz, the showdown offers dual benefits: spotlighting civil-liberties credentials while reinforcing his image as a fierce interrogator of federal regulators—a role that has previously fueled viral moments and small-dollar fundraising spikes. With speculation swirling about another presidential bid, the senator has embraced high-visibility policy fights, from opposing an AI moratorium to introducing the SEVER Act, which would block sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the United States. Carr has not yet responded to Cruz’s demand for testimony, but FCC insiders note that pulling a network’s license would require a lengthy administrative process and court review. Still, the mere threat has rattled broadcasters and ignited fresh debate about the limits of government power over media content. As the Commerce Committee hearing approaches, both sides are marshaling legal experts and free-speech advocates. Expect Cruz to seize the gavel, Carr to face searing questions, and America’s late-night hosts to have plenty of fresh material—ironically proving the very vitality of the speech the FCC chair appears ready to sanction.