President-elect Donald Trump has filed an amicus brief requesting the Supreme Court to delay a potential TikTok ban, allowing his administration time to address the matter politically. The brief was submitted on Friday as TikTok and the Biden administration exchanged opposing arguments on the legality and necessity of the platform’s ban.
TikTok, in its filing, urged the court to overturn a law requiring the platform to divest from its China-based parent company by January 19, 2025, claiming it infringes on First Amendment rights. The Biden administration, however, maintained that the statute is crucial to mitigate national security risks associated with the platform’s data practices.
Trump’s brief emphasized a neutral stance on the core dispute but asked the court to stay the law’s deadline for divestment while the legal process unfolds. President Trump does not take a position on the underlying merits of this dispute but respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline while it considers the merits of this case, the filing stated.
The filings come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on January 10. The case hinges on whether the law, which could lead to TikTok’s ban if it does not sever ties with its parent company, violates free speech protections.
A recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the statute, prompting TikTok to escalate the case to the Supreme Court.
Trump’s brief signals his administration’s preference to negotiate a resolution rather than impose an outright ban. He seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office, the filing noted.
The case has garnered widespread attention as it raises questions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression, with implications for millions of TikTok users and the broader tech industry.
TikTok, in its filing, urged the court to overturn a law requiring the platform to divest from its China-based parent company by January 19, 2025, claiming it infringes on First Amendment rights. The Biden administration, however, maintained that the statute is crucial to mitigate national security risks associated with the platform’s data practices.
Trump’s brief emphasized a neutral stance on the core dispute but asked the court to stay the law’s deadline for divestment while the legal process unfolds. President Trump does not take a position on the underlying merits of this dispute but respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline while it considers the merits of this case, the filing stated.
The filings come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on January 10. The case hinges on whether the law, which could lead to TikTok’s ban if it does not sever ties with its parent company, violates free speech protections.
A recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the statute, prompting TikTok to escalate the case to the Supreme Court.
Trump’s brief signals his administration’s preference to negotiate a resolution rather than impose an outright ban. He seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office, the filing noted.
The case has garnered widespread attention as it raises questions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression, with implications for millions of TikTok users and the broader tech industry.
