to this threat again the they might as well just hand over the keys to trump now.

If this were coming from any other administration, I would read it as an actually good idea, ensuring local issues get the appropriate coverage, as local newspapers have almost disappeared. However, anything coming from the incoming administration is suspect.

He's just a rando now, pretending he's in charge. I'd send it back with a note, get back to me when you have a real job.
(Yeah, I know that's not how it works, but he's not actually in the job.)

Also abc made a mistake by folding like a lawn chair, one should never appease bullies--

1. Has any other FCC chair done this?
2. What role does the federal government have in network/affiliate contract negotiations?

On question 2, I know that there is law requiring that TV and radio stations "serve the public interest". This has been given wide latitude to cover everything from Walter Cronkite evening news broadcasts to right-wing religious radio. The public is encouraged to provide comment to the FCC with complaints as to whether or not the station is serving the public interest. In theory, this feedback is taken into account during broadcast license renewals. Licenses cover only frequency allocation and broadcast power. Not content. The widest possible first amendment latitude is afforded these licensing decisions.

For an FCC to send what is clearly a threat letter like this East German Stasi stuff that is pretty far away from 1st amendment principles. Democrats in congress should agitate for investigation.

Weaponization of government, indeed.

You also have NBC and CBS. Are they getting the same scrutiny? Why just ABC. Not that I really care about ABC more than the others, just curious about his motives. As far as serving their local communities, he would do better scrutinizing what Pegasus, Gray or Fox Broadcasting dictates to their local news programming. They are guilty of sending out the same story to all the affiliates they own therefore controlling the narrative from a central location.

like he's already in the position. I wish ABC would shred the letter and send it back with a note saying, "Thank you for your letter. Unfortunately, we don't respond to threats from individuals who don't work in government."

They won't. ABC has shown that an earthworm has more of a spine than they do.

Trump tried to get Disney -- which owns ABC -- to muzzle Jimmy Kimmel because his jokes were hurting TFG's feelings. They didn't, and he didn't.

Kimmel got his revenge when he hosted the Oscars. During the broadcast Trump had rage tweeted about how shitty the show was, and reserved his trademark vitriol for Kimmel, who he described as "no talent."

Kimmel carried his phone on stage and read the tweet, ending with, "Thank you, Mr. President. Isn't it past your jail time?"