What began as a surprising shake-up in late-night television is quickly spiraling into a full-blown national controversy. After CBS abruptly canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a growing number of lawmakers are calling for a boycott of the network—accusing it of caving to political pressure and silencing dissenting voices.

“This isn’t just a programming decision,” Rep. Maxwell Turner (D-NY) said during a heated press briefing on Capitol Hill. “This is a calculated move to silence one of the most fearless commentators on television. And we need to ask—who made that call, and why now?”

The timing of Colbert’s cancelation has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Just weeks before the Republican National Convention and amid a heated presidential race, Colbert had become increasingly vocal in his criticism of right-wing narratives and political figures—particularly former President Donald Trump. His monologues were sharper than ever, often going viral for their uncompromising tone and biting satire.

But now, many are questioning whether that outspokenness made him a target.

“There are clear signs that this wasn’t just about ratings,” said Sen. Elise Ramirez (D-CA). “There’s mounting evidence suggesting outside influence—possibly political—in this decision. And if a major network is letting politics dictate content, that’s a threat to free speech.”

Colbert’s departure was announced without warning. No farewell episode. No final monologue. Just a brief, sterile press release from CBS citing “strategic realignment” and “audience focus.” But for many, the language felt suspiciously vague—and deliberately evasive.

Soon after the announcement, former CBS staffers began leaking information that fueled the fire. One anonymous producer claimed that top executives had held meetings earlier in the year expressing “discomfort” with Colbert’s increasingly bold commentaries.

“He was going off-script—punching hard,” the producer said. “They didn’t like that. Especially the segments that called out corporate donors and political lobbyists.”

Within days, lawmakers began demanding answers. Some are now calling for congressional hearings to investigate whether political pressure played a role in CBS’s decision-making process.

Rep. Turner went even further, urging viewers to “turn off CBS until we get the truth.”

“I’m calling for a complete viewer boycott,” he said. “Not just because Stephen Colbert was taken off the air, but because this could set a dangerous precedent. If networks start silencing voices that challenge the powerful, then no journalist or entertainer is safe.”

The backlash isn’t limited to one party. Even some moderate Republicans have expressed unease with how abruptly Colbert was removed.

“It looks bad,” said Sen. Clarke Howard (R-ME). “Whether or not politics played a role, the optics are terrible. It creates distrust in media independence.”

Meanwhile, fans of Colbert have taken to social media in droves, launching petitions, organizing letter-writing campaigns, and urging advertisers to pull funding from CBS. One online petition titled “Bring Back Colbert” has already amassed over 1.5 million signatures in less than a week.

Comedians, media watchdogs, and civil liberties groups have also voiced support, calling CBS’s move “deeply troubling.” The ACLU issued a statement urging transparency, while the Committee to Protect Journalists said the situation “warrants serious scrutiny.”

As public pressure builds, CBS has remained tight-lipped, offering no new statements. But inside sources say the network is feeling the heat—and boardroom discussions are growing increasingly tense.

In a media landscape already rocked by distrust, polarization, and corporate consolidation, this controversy strikes at a deeper nerve: Who controls what we hear, see, and laugh at?

For now, lawmakers aren’t backing down. “This isn’t just about Stephen Colbert,” said Sen. Ramirez. “It’s about whether truth still has a place on television. And we intend to find out.”