Teen sets fire to congressman’s office over TikTok ban

A Wisconsin teenager set fire to Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman’s office early Sunday morning, allegedly in protest against the recently enacted TikTok ban.

The Fond du Lac police reported that the 19-year-old suspect, a resident of Menasha, admitted to starting the fire over frustration with the ban.

The blaze occurred around 1 a.m. at Grothman’s district office. Thankfully, the building was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported. Authorities apprehended the teen nearby, and he is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on arson charges. Additional charges are expected to follow, according to the district attorney’s office.

The TikTok ban, enacted by Congress and effective as of Sunday, has stirred widespread discontent among its 170 million American users. The Chinese-owned app faced immediate shutdown but was restored after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order, granting the platform more time to negotiate with the U.S. government. TikTok has since resumed operations, alleviating fears of prolonged disruption.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok Policy expressed gratitude to Trump for ensuring the app’s continued availability. “We thank President Trump for providing clarity and assurance to our service providers and supporting the over 7 million small businesses thriving on TikTok,” the statement read.

This incident underscores the growing tensions surrounding the ban and highlights how deeply the platform’s fate impacts its users. As legal proceedings unfold, the event raises questions about the broader implications of restricting social media platforms.