Kathmandu: President-elect Donald Trump on Friday requested the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the potential ban on TikTok until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the matter.
The request coincides with opposing briefs filed by TikTok and the Biden administration. TikTok argued that the court should overturn the law, which could force the platform’s divestment or ban by January 19, 2025, while the Biden administration emphasized the statute’s necessity to address national security risks.
“President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline…while it considers the merits of this case,” stated Trump’s amicus brief, authored by D. John Sauer, his pick for solicitor general.
This move underscores Trump’s growing influence on national issues before taking office. The president-elect has actively engaged in federal negotiations, international trade discussions, and meetings with foreign and business leaders at his Mar-a-Lago resort, including TikTok CEO Shou Chew.
Trump, who had sought to ban TikTok during his first term over security concerns, reversed his stance during his 2024 campaign, using the platform to connect with younger voters. Despite joining TikTok, Trump maintains concerns about its security risks but opposes an outright ban.
The dispute stems from a law signed by President Joe Biden in April, requiring TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban. TikTok and ByteDance challenged the law, arguing it violates the First Amendment.
Earlier this month, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the statute, prompting TikTok to appeal to the Supreme Court. TikTok’s brief argued that the lower court based its ruling on speculative risks rather than evidence, emphasizing that the U.S. government has no proof of Chinese interference through the platform.
In contrast, the Biden administration maintains that TikTok’s corporate ties to ByteDance and its reliance on Chinese-developed infrastructure pose national security risks, even as it acknowledges no evidence of misuse to date.
Oral arguments on the matter are scheduled for January 10. Trump’s brief indicated his desire to address the issue through diplomatic channels once in office.
Source: AP