He deliberately lied about the material facts in an ongoing criminal investigation. It was a blatant abuse of public broadcast airwaves, rights to which are contingent upon serving the public good. His behavior constituted valid grounds for investigation by the FCC. ABC knew this. They demanded he issue a correction, and he refused. That’s why they suspended him. He was threatening their entire existence as a public broadcasting company.

It was never a free speech issue. Leftists are liars.