Man torches congressman’s district office over TikTok ban: police
Police in Wisconsin are investigating after a man set fire to a congressman’s district office following a brief outage of the popular social media app TikTok in the United States. The Fond du Lac Police Department reported that a 19-year-old man from Menasha confessed to starting the fire at an office space leased to U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman.
The incident occurred just after 1 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, when police and firefighters responded to Grothman’s office to extinguish a possible structure fire. The suspect was apprehended near the strip mall where the office was located shortly after the fire was put out.
According to authorities, the man admitted to setting the fire out of frustration over TikTok going dark in the U.S. He confessed to officers that he initiated the fire “in response to recent talks of a TikTok ban,” as Grothman had voted for a bill related to a TikTok divestment or potential ban.
In response to the arson attack, Grothman expressed relief that no one was injured and that the damage was contained. He thanked the firefighters and police officers for their prompt response. Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein condemned the act of violence, emphasizing that such behavior is not tolerated and that the safety of the community is a top priority.
The suspect is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail, and charges of arson are being referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office. TikTok has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, TikTok was in the process of restoring operations in the U.S. after a blackout on Saturday, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law banning the app unless it was sold in the country. Users reported regaining access to the app, with a message crediting President-elect Trump for the platform’s return.
Trump, in a post on TRUTH Social, announced his intention to issue an executive order to extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect, allowing for negotiations to protect national security. He also assured that companies aiding in keeping TikTok operational would not face liability.
The president-elect emphasized the importance of Americans being able to access events and conversations on the platform, including the upcoming Inauguration. However, the specifics of the extension’s timeline and duration were not clarified in his statement.
As the investigation into the arson attack continues, authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the community while addressing the consequences of the suspect’s actions.
