US President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay the impending TikTok ban, citing the need for a political resolution. This request comes as TikTok and the Biden administration present opposing briefs to the court, with TikTok arguing against the ban and the government emphasizing national security concerns.
TikTok’s Legal Battle
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have filed multiple legal challenges against the law requiring divestment from ByteDance or facing a ban. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, has faced scrutiny for potentially violating free speech protections.
Trump’s Position
Trump’s amicus brief states that he takes no position on the underlying merits of the dispute but requests the court to stay the Act’s deadline for divestment while considering the case’s merits. “President Trump alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the government,” the brief reads.
National Security Concerns
The U.S. Justice Department argues that TikTok’s links to the Chinese government present a national security threat, a claim that TikTok and ByteDance deny3. Nearly two dozen state attorney generals have urged the Supreme Court to uphold the law compelling ByteDance and TikTok to divest or be banned.
Upcoming Court Arguments
Oral arguments are scheduled for January 10, just days before the ban takes effect on January 19. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for national security, technology, and free speech.
