The FCCs threats against Disney over the comments made by Jimmy Kimmel on his late night show are truly empty, according to the lone Democratic commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, Anna Gomez, but that may not be the point:

We dont have the ability to actually take these actions, but its the threat of the enforcement that is the point. It is to get capitulation as soon as possible, Gomez said. And when you see so much capitulation by the corporate parents, its really disappointing, because every time they capitulate, rather than show courage, what they are doing is eroding our democracy and our First Amendment freedoms. Gomez was a guest at Axios Media Trends summit in New York, with moderator Sara Fischer asking her for her thoughts on the decision by Disney to suspend Kimmels show.

I see this as a part of this administrations campaign of censorship and control, and what its doing is its weaponizing its licensing authority in order to bring broadcasters to heel and to really think twice about what they say about this administration, Gomez said. Its not because of the content of these broadcasts, whether its the Jimmy Kimmel show or CBS, is actually inciting violence or breaking the law. All its doing is speaking about this administration in a way that it does not like that is contrary to the First Amendment. Its contrary to the Communications Act.

Gomez was also asked about the FCCs investigations into various media companies over DEI practices or content concerns, and whether she believes the Commission has the ability to actually carry out those investigations.

Gomez indicated that she is largely kept out of the loop by her Republican colleagues.

I have very little insight. I am told that its sensitive information, which keeps getting discussed on Fox all the time, sensitive information, Gomez quipped. And it is true, usually our enforcement proceedings have market consequences, and so we try to keep them confidential. Its kind of like you dont go and disclose something until after the grand jury indicts, that type of thing, but, but its been different in this administration.