Republican attorneys general from Virginia and Montana have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, urging the court to require TikTok to sever its ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This move comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the fate of the popular social media platform in the United States.
The amicus brief was filed on Friday, the same day President-elect Trump also submitted a brief, requesting the Supreme Court to pause the TikTok ban and allow him to address the issue once he assumes office.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares emphasized the importance of upholding the divest-or-ban law against TikTok, citing concerns over the company's parent company, ByteDance, and its alleged connections to the CCP. Miyares pointed to whistleblower reports that suggest ByteDance has shared sensitive information, including Americans' data, with the CCP.
Miyares stated, 'Allowing TikTok to operate in the United States without severing its ties to the Chinese Communist Party exposes Americans to the undeniable risks of having their data accessed and exploited by the CCP.'
President Trump's brief indicated that he is not supporting either party but asserted his right to make decisions regarding TikTok's future. The brief highlighted Trump's interest in addressing the First Amendment issues raised by the case and the need to balance free speech rights with national security concerns.
Trump's spokesperson emphasized that the President-elect aims to resolve the TikTok issue in a manner that safeguards American national security. The brief requested an extension of the deadline for TikTok's potential shutdown, allowing Trump to address the matter upon assuming office in 2025.
The case involving TikTok presents a complex interplay between free speech rights, foreign policy, and national security concerns. Both the Republican attorneys general and President-elect Trump are seeking to navigate this intricate legal landscape to protect American interests.
