US President-elect Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to delay the proposed ban on TikTok in the United States, aiming to provide time for a negotiated solution.
This request was made through a legal document filed on Friday by John Sauer, whom Trump nominated to serve as Solicitor General. The Solicitor General is typically responsible for representing the US government in appellate courts, including the Supreme Court.
The legal filing outlines Trump’s opposition to the immediate ban of TikTok, expressing his hope to resolve the matter through political discussions after he takes office. Trump has emphasised his negotiation skills and political will, suggesting that a solution can be reached through talks.
This solution would address the government’s national security concerns while allowing the popular video-sharing app to continue operating in the country.
Recently, Trump hinted that he might permit TikTok to stay operational in the United States for a while longer.
At a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, Trump mentioned that TikTok may have played a role in reaching key voters during the presidential election. He raised the possibility of keeping the platform running for some time, though the issue remains contentious.
The push to ban TikTok began earlier this year when US President Joe Biden signed a law in April that gave TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, just 270 days to sell the app.
This law was based on national security concerns, which have been widely debated. If ByteDance fails to comply with the directive, app store operators like Apple and Google would be required to remove TikTok from their platforms.
In response, TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government in May, aiming to block the proposed ban. The legal battle has drawn significant criticism, with critics arguing that the ban is politically motivated and a threat to free speech.
TikTok’s case reached the US Court of Appeals in Washington in December, where the court dismissed the company’s claim that the ban was unconstitutional.
On December 16, TikTok and ByteDance sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to temporarily pause the law, arguing that it would result in the removal of one of the most popular platforms for free speech in the United States.
The company stated that banning TikTok just before the presidential inauguration would silence not only the platform’s creators but also the many Americans who rely on it to discuss politics, commerce, art, and other important matters.
The Supreme Court agreed to review TikTok and ByteDance’s request on December 18, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal struggle. This decision will determine whether the ban will proceed or if the companies will have more time to negotiate a resolution.
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