Trump Halts TikTok Ban with Surprise Executive Order

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Friday that the TikTok ban in the United States would begin on Sunday, January 19th.

 

The nation’s top court, in a ruling that rejected a challenge by the owner of the company, ByteDance based in China, noted: “Congress determined that divestiture was necessary to address their well-supported concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices, and its relationship with a hostile foreign adversary.”

 

Trump, who has promised to resolve the issue as soon as possible, signed the Executive Order to bring back the popular social media app for a limited time.

 

 

The order stated that this would give Trump’s Administration time to “pursue a resolution which protects national safety while saving a platform utilized by 170 million Americans.”

 

“Essentially with TikTok I have the right to sell it or close it,” Trump said from the Oval Office after signing the executive action on Monday. “We may have to get approval from China. I’m not sure. I’m sure they’ll approve.”

 

Trump said that his administration would work on a “joint venture” between the United States of America and an undisclosed entity.

 

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The following excerpts are from Trump’s Executive Order.

 

Constitutionally, I am responsible for the national and international security of the United States and other important executive functions. To fulfill these responsibilities, I will consult with my advisors and the heads of relevant agencies and departments on the concerns about national security raised by TikTok. I will also pursue a solution that protects the national interest while saving the platform used by over 170 million Americans.

 

It also stated, “My Administration should also review sensitive information related to these concerns and evaluate whether the mitigation measures TikTok took to date are sufficient.”

 

 

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This timing interferes with my ability, before the Act takes effect, to evaluate the implications for national security and foreign policies of its prohibitions. This timing interferes with my ability to negotiate a solution to avoid a sudden shutdown of the TikTok Platform while addressing concerns about national security. To avoid an abrupt shutdown, I have instructed the Attorney General to refrain from taking any enforcement action for 75 days.

 

The full EO can be read here. While you’re there, take a look at the new White House website. It’s pretty amazing.