WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a federal law mandating that TikTok’s Chinese owners sell or shut down the social-media app by January 19, supporting Congress's concerns over national security against the platform's claim that the ban infringes on the First Amendment.
This decision means that the platform could potentially go offline—at least temporarily—on Sunday, impacting millions of TikTok users, particularly teenagers, who regularly engage with its short-form videos on their phones. President-elect Donald Trump and his allies are exploring political solutions to address these security concerns while attempting to save the app. Officials from the outgoing Biden administration have indicated they do not plan to enforce the ban before departing office, yet this assurance has not placated TikTok.
Should it face a legal loss at the Supreme Court, TikTok has prepared to shut down its operations in the U.S. to comply with the law, avoiding legal repercussions for companies associated with its distribution. The company is also considering other strategies and seeking dialogue with Trump.
In response to the ruling, frantic efforts ensued. The White House clarified it would not take action when the law is set to take effect on Sunday, considering Trump's inauguration the following day. "Our administration believes the responsibility to implement the law lies with the next administration," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated. The Justice Department welcomed the decision but did not provide details on the next steps. "The process of implementing and ensuring compliance with the new law after January 19 will unfold over time," remarked Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Trump commented via social media, stating, "I will decide on TikTok in the near future, but I need time to carefully consider the situation. Stay tuned!"
The president-elect revealed he spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday, discussing various topics, including TikTok.
TikTok did not provide an immediate response. Its CEO, Shou Chew, is expected to attend Trump's inauguration.