A Wisconsin teenager faces arson charges after reportedly setting a congressman’s office on fire, claiming that his actions were spurred by the recent TikTok ban.
Teen hit with arson charges
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, when Fond du Lac Police Department officers responded to reports of a blaze at a strip mall on North Peters Avenue. The location includes the district office of Republican U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman.
According to a police report, officers arrived at the scene, attempting to manage the flames with extinguishers while awaiting the arrival of firefighters who ultimately doused the fire.
The police soon identified and detained a 19-year-old suspect from Menasha near the site of the incident.
Authorities claim the individual admitted to starting the fire, motivated by “recent talks of a TikTok ban.”
The teen is currently being held at Fond du Lac County Jail, with charges filed against him for arson. Further legal proceedings are expected as Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office reviews the case.
Arson charges for firebug teen
Fortunately, the building was vacant during the fire, and no injuries were reported. The investigation, led jointly by local law enforcement and Fond du Lac Fire Rescue, is said to be in its initial stages.
Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein addressed the incident, pointing out that “acts of violence, in any form, are not tolerated.”
He expressed gratitude for the officers’ quick response in controlling the situation and locating the suspect.
“We are relieved that no one was injured and the office was unoccupied at the time of the fire,” Goldstein stated.
Representative Grothman also weighed in, sharing his relief about the absence of injuries and containment of the damage.
“Thank you to the FDL firefighters and police officers for your swift response,” he wrote on his X account on January 19.
The backdrop for this alarming series of events ties to an ongoing debate around TikTok’s presence in the United States.
Rep. Grothman had previously supported legislation compelling ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to either sell the app to a U.S. entity or shut it down.
Grothman’s vote last April aligned with broader political pressure on ByteDance to distance TikTok from Chinese ownership, citing national security concerns.
This debate reached a turning point on January 17, when the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a law necessitating TikTok’s divestment.
The legislation, passed earlier by Congress and endorsed by President Joe Biden, enforces TikTok’s operational shutdown if ByteDance fails to comply.
Its origins trace back to President Donald Trump, who unveiled similar intentions during his term, signaling a potential ban on TikTok in April 2020.
Trump addresses TikTok ban
However, Trump has since hinted at a softened stance. Over the weekend, TikTok temporarily ceased operations in the U.S., sparking outrage from users addicted to the platform.
Addressing the situation on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!”
He promised an executive order extending the time frame for negotiations, allowing more room to finalize a deal safeguarding national security interests.
Trump assured his followers that the order would also grant immunity to service providers enabling TikTok’s activities prior to the agreement.
“I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect,” he declared, suggesting an intention to bring TikTok back quickly.
Trump also noted the platform’s role in broadcasting events like the inauguration ceremony.
Shortly after this announcement, TikTok began restoring its services for U.S. users, averting potentially long-term interruptions.
The company acknowledged the development in a statement, thanking President Trump for “providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers.”
TikTok further stated their intent to collaborate with Trump’s administration on a viable long-term solution. “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the statement read.
