Disney is accusing the Federal Communications Commission of weaponizing its regulatory authority against ABC over the network’s coverage of President Donald Trump, escalating a legal fight over the government’s decision to accelerate reviews of the broadcaster’s licenses.

In a new federal court filing, Disney challenged the FCC’s decision to require all eight ABC-owned television stations to undergo early license renewals, even though their existing licenses are not yet set to expire. The company argues the move is an attempt to pressure the network over programming and reporting the administration dislikes.

Disney’s attorneys pointed to an Oct. 6 court hearing, arguing that government lawyers acknowledged the FCC had other enforcement options available but chose not to use them.

“These are not merely ‘theoretical’ tools... they have been used by the agency for decades,” Disney’s attorneys argued. “Yet the agency tried none of those less intrusive tools here, instead taking the unprecedented step of calling for early license renewal of all eight ABC-owned stations at once.”

The company further alleged that the accelerated reviews were intended to impose extraordinary pressure on Disney while avoiding judicial scrutiny.

“Defendants’ own admissions leave no doubt as to why Defendants sought to inflict maximal coercive pressure on the media company whose speech the Administration sought to curb, while deliberately evading judicial review,” the filing stated.

Disney maintains that the FCC’s actions amount to retaliation against a media company for its editorial decisions and news coverage. The company is asking the court to halt the early renewal process.

The FCC has rejected Disney’s characterization of the case, maintaining that its investigation concerns allegations that the company violated federal anti-discrimination laws through its diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices.

“All broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest, even Disney,” the agency said in an August statement. The FCC also accused Disney of spreading misinformation to undermine an investigation into potentially unlawful hiring practices, insisting it would follow the facts and the law.

The dispute places the FCC’s regulatory authority at the center of a broader debate over government oversight of broadcasters and allegations of political pressure on media organizations. Disney says the early renewals are an effort to punish ABC for its coverage, while the agency argues it is investigating potential violations of federal law.

The court will ultimately have to consider whether the FCC’s decision to accelerate the reviews was a legitimate regulatory action or an improper use of its authority, as Disney seeks to stop the process from moving forward