Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has requested that the Supreme Court delay the potential ban on TikTok until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue.
The Biden administration has argued that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its ties to China.
Trump’s request follows opposing filings in court from TikTok and the Biden administration. TikTok has asked the court to strike down a law that could ban the app by January 19, while the government asserts the law is necessary to address national security concerns.
This request comes ahead of oral arguments set for January 10 regarding the law, which mandates that TikTok divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban. The law, passed with broad bipartisan support, was signed by President Joe Biden in April. TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, subsequently filed a legal challenge.
Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the statute, leading TikTok to appeal to the Supreme Court.
This court filing is the latest instance of Trump engaging with national issues before officially taking office. The Republican president-elect has already begun engaging in trade talks with other countries and intervened in the recent federal government funding discussions, urging Republicans to reject a bipartisan plan and return to negotiations. Trump has also been holding meetings with foreign leaders and business figures at his Mar-a-Lago estate, including a recent meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew.
