In a significant move, President-elect Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to delay a potential ban on TikTok, advocating for time to explore political negotiations. This request comes as TikTok and the Biden administration present opposing briefs to the court. TikTok is pushing to overturn the law, while the government maintains it is essential for national security.
Trump’s brief, submitted by his solicitor general, D. John Sauer, does not take a position on the legal merits of the case. Instead, it requests a stay on the January 19, 2025, deadline that mandates TikTok to divest from its parent company, ByteDance, based in China. The brief emphasizes that a delay would facilitate a political resolution.
This legal action highlights Trump’s increasing involvement in national issues as his inauguration approaches. He has been actively engaging in negotiations and meeting with international leaders at his Mar-a-Lago estate, positioning himself to address pressing matters upon taking office.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the law, prompting TikTok to appeal to the Supreme Court. TikTok’s attorneys argue that the government’s position relies on speculative risks regarding potential exploitation by China, stressing that there is no substantial evidence to support such claims.
The Biden administration argues that TikTok’s connections to ByteDance pose inherent risks, particularly concerning data privacy. As the oral arguments are scheduled for January 10, 2025, Trump’s request for a delay reflects his strategy to seek a political solution before the court makes a final ruling.
The ongoing situation could have significant implications for the platform and its millions of users in the U.S. as the legal battle continues to unfold.
