A Wisconsin teen has been accused of setting fire to a local Republican congressman’s office over the brief TikTok U.S. ban.
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In a statement on Facebook, the Fond du Lac Police Department stated that officers had apprehended a 19-year-old Menasha male suspected of setting fire to 525. N. Peters Avenue, which has office space leased to U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman.
“We are relieved that no one was injured and the office was unoccupied at the time of the fire,” the department’s chief, Aaron Goldstein, explained. “Acts of violence, in any form, are not tolerated, and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community. I am thankful for the swift response of our Officers in helping knock down the fire and also locating the suspect of this arson.”
Officials reported that the incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19. Responding officers used extinguishers to hold the fire until the City of Fond du Lac Fire Rescue arrived.
Officers then located the 19-year-old male near a strip mall. Officials said the teen admitted to setting fire to the congressman’s office in response to the TikTok ban.
The teen is now being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail and charged with arson. The case has been referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office. Officials revealed that the building was unoccupied at the time. No injuries were reported.
“The investigation into this incident is at the preliminary stages,” the officials then added. “And remains under active investigation by the City of Fond du Lac Police Department and the City of Fond du Lac Fire Rescue.”
TikTok Resumed Operations in the U.S. Hours After Shutting Down
Less than 24 hours after shutting down in the U.S., TikTok restored its services. This was after then-President-Elect Donald Trump said he would delay the ban.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump explained on his Truth Social account. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
President Trump said the order would provide “no liability” to companies helping TikTok from going dark.
“I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture,” Trump also said. “By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to [stay] up.”
Trump stated that without the U.S. approval, there would be no TikTok
“With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars – maybe trillions,” he further shared. “Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership in a joint venture set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose.”
TikTok responded to the executive order promise by thanking President Trump.
“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the social media platform stated. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
TikTok then noted that the decision is a “strong stand” for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. The platform vowed to work with Trump on the situation.