WAHINGTON, (TDI): U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to postpone the enforcement of a looming TikTok ban, seeking time to explore a “political resolution” to the issue.
The popular social media platform is set to be banned in the United States following the passage of legislation approved by the Senate. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court rejected efforts to overturn the congressional measure.
In response, Trump filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court opposing the immediate ban, arguing for a delay that would allow his incoming administration to address the concerns through political means.
Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, who is also the president-elect’s nominee for U.S. solicitor general, requested a stay on the legislation’s January 19, 2025, deadline for TikTok’s divestment. Sauer stated, “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” as reported by NBC News.
Also Read: Trump Supports Delaying TikTok Ban
He added, “Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump’s incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution.”
According to CNN, Trump’s legal team refrained from addressing the First Amendment implications of the case, instead advocating for a delay to allow the administration to seek alternatives to an outright ban.
The president-elect has sent mixed messages on TikTok in the past but recently pledged to “save” the platform. Earlier this month, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Chew, according to a BBC report.
Biden Administration Supports Ban
In contrast, the Biden administration, along with a bipartisan coalition of former government officials, has urged the Supreme Court to uphold the TikTok ban. The group cited national security concerns, arguing that the platform’s ties to China pose a “grave” threat to American interests.
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“TikTok collects vast swaths of data about tens of millions of Americans,” the Biden administration wrote in a submission to the Supreme Court.
The debate highlights a broader tension between national security and free speech, particularly as TikTok boasts 170 million American users who rely on the app for news and entertainment.
