The notorious TikTok ban in the US has not only sparked outrage but also some literal fires after a teenager in Wisconsin committed arson to a congressman’s office. It was a violent reaction after the US government banned the aforementioned social media app over the weekend. The TikTok ban was shortly retracted and given a 90-day grace period.
The incident and arson took place around 1 AM on Sunday, January 19 in the City of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. An unnamed 19-year-old Wisconsin teenager was caught as a suspect and has since admitted the crime of setting a congressman’s office on fire after the authorities arrested him.
To be more specific, the congressman’s office that the 19-year-old man burned belonged to US Representative Glenn Grothman. Grothman is one of the Republicans who voted in favor of the TikTok ban and thus became a primary target for the disgruntled TikTokers who suddenly can no longer access the app.
The Damage is Done
Apparently, the perpetrator’s main reason for the arson was anger about the TikTok ban, and burning the congressman’s office was his form of response. Thankfully, Font du Lac City firefighters were quick to respond to the incident and promptly extinguished the fire before it spread. Nobody was hurt in the blaze and damage seemed minimal apart from a charred door and walls.
In a rather fortunate turn of events (or unfortunate for the arsonist), the TikTok ban was lifted shortly after President Donald Trump came into office and signed an executive order to pause the ban for 75 days.
Thus, TikTok services in the US were restored within 24 after the ban, and the US government is now deliberating on its next course of action for the app. Meanwhile, Trump has declared that his new administration will seek a “joint venture” that involves TikTok and other foreign apps or businesses operating in the US.
