Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has publicly criticized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chairman Brendan Carr, for its recent actions that he perceives as censorship. The FCC ordered Disney-owned ABC affiliates to file their broadcast license renewals ahead of schedule, which Cruz believes is a retaliatory measure following a joke made by late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump. Cruz, who champions free speech, stated that it is inappropriate for the government to act as 'speech police.' He has previously voiced similar concerns regarding Carr's crackdown on late-night comedians interviewing political candidates, describing Carr's approach as dangerous. Cruz's comments have drawn mixed reactions, including backlash from some supporters of former President Donald Trump.