Disney-owned ABC defended "The View" before the Federal Communications Commission as the network fights to preserve the daytime talk show's exemption from federal equal-time rules amid increased regulatory scrutiny under the Trump administration.

In a filing reportedly submitted Monday, ABC argued that "The View" qualifies as a "bona fide news interview program," placing it in the same category as "World News Tonight" and "Good Morning America."

"The commenters are right to be concerned," ABC wrote, according to Variety. "The First Amendment does not permit the government to sit in an editor's chair."

The filing comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr directed Disney to seek early renewals for eight ABC television station licenses. Disney has challenged the move, saying the applications were filed "under protest in response to an unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional order."

The dispute also comes as the FCC investigates whether "The View" complied with federal equal-time requirements after Democrat Texas Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the program in February.

The commission issued guidance in January stating that daytime and late-night programs could be subject to equal-time rules if they function as partisan platforms by featuring political candidates.

ABC argued that "The View" remains exempt under a 2002 FCC ruling covering qualifying news interview programs.

The network also pointed to strong public support after urging viewers to weigh in with the FCC, with more than 77,000 comments having been submitted.

Among them was Dana Thomas, who wrote: "I am horrified to see what is happening to broadcasting under this FCC. It is the job of the FCC to ensure that media follows the law and serves the public, not to harrass (sic.) and bully programming with which the current administration disagrees."

Another commenter, Iris Smith, added: "The FCC should not be selecting what I watch."

ABC's position also drew support from roughly 50 advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Young Voices, UltraViolet and TechFreedom.

In a joint filing, the groups urged the commission to maintain "The View's" protected status.

"The Commission should decide this proceeding the way it would want the rule applied under any administration: by reaffirming that 'The View' is a bona fide news interview program and that the 2002 Declaratory Ruling remains in force," the filing said. "The record strongly supports that result, and the law — not to mention the Constitution — compels it."