Conservative groups are preparing petitions to urge the Federal Communications Commission to deny renewal of Disney-owned ABC television station licenses as the agency reviews the company's broadcast operations.

Politico reported that the new petitions could heighten the stakes by "injecting politically charged issues such as alleged partisan bias" into the FCC's decision on whether Disney should keep its licenses.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr earlier ordered an accelerated review of the licenses for eight Disney-owned ABC stations, citing allegations that Disney failed to cooperate with an investigation into its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Carr has argued the FCC is enforcing broadcasters' obligation to operate in the "public interest," a standard established by Congress nearly a century ago.

He has also said the commission will follow the evidence wherever it leads.

The FCC said it "will follow the facts and the law wherever they go. Broadcasters have unique public interest obligations, and Congress has tasked the FCC with enforcing those regulations."

Daniel Suhr, president of the Center for American Rights, said the review is "no longer only about DEI."

"It is now about the complete record of ABC's management of these stations," Suhr said.

ABC has criticized the early review, telling the FCC that Carr's action serves "no legitimate purpose" and is an "effort to suppress speech under the guise of bureaucratic process."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for revoking the licenses of TV outlets he believes have treated him unfairly, including ABC, CBS, and NBC.

His criticism has targeted "The View," late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and ABC News correspondent George Stephanopoulos.

Carr's predecessor during Trump's first term, Ajit Pai, declined to pursue similar actions, citing First Amendment concerns.

Carr, however, has opened investigations involving broadcasters' content and has cited FCC rules addressing news distortion and equal airtime requirements.

Carr said no decision has been made on Disney's licenses, but emphasized every option remains available.

"If it goes towards a hearing designation order, if it goes towards license revocation, if that's where the facts take us, great," Carr told CNBC last month. "If not, then that's OK, too."

The petitions are due Monday. ABC and its supporters have until July 29 to file objections.

The Media Research Center and the Article III Project are among the groups expected to challenge Disney's license renewals.

Carr accused ABC of running a "campaign of disinformation" after the network began airing promotional spots encouraging viewers to support it while facing the FCC inquiry.

ABC began running the spots on June 22 during commercial breaks of "The View," asking viewers to support the program while the administration moves forward with a probe into whether the show violated federal political broadcasting rules.