Teen Units Fireplace to Congressman’s Workplace Allegedly Over TikTok Ban

A 19-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested within the early morning hours of Sunday for setting first to an workplace leased by a member of Congress within the metropolis of Fond Du Lac. The unnamed man reportedly instructed police he was upset concerning the TikTok ban, which prohibited customers from opening the app beginning late Saturday, however got here back online Sunday after guarantees from president-elect Donald Trump to not implement the ban.

Police arrived at a construction fireplace at 525 N. Peters Avenue within the metropolis of Fond Du Lac round 1:00 a.m. native time Sunday, in response to native information station WMTV. The workplace is leased by U.S. Consultant Glenn Grothman, a Republican who represents Wisconsin’s sixth District and voted in favor of the TikTok “ban or divest” legislation that had overwhelming bipartisan assist.

The constructing was unoccupied when the fireplace began and no accidents have been reported. First responders had been in a position to maintain the fireplace in examine with fireplace extinguishers till firefighters arrived, in response to native information outlet Channel 3000. Judging by the picture launched by Rep. Grothman’s workplace, which has gone viral on social media, it seems the fireplace blackened the surface of the door and broken an air-con unit, as you may see above.

The 19-year-old arson suspect is from Menasha, in response to ABC affiliate WISN, which experiences he “admitted to beginning the fireplace in response to latest talks of a TikTok ban.” That man has not but been recognized however is being held on an arson cost on the Fond du Lac County Jail.

“Acts of violence, in any type, are usually not tolerated, and we stay dedicated to defending the security and well-being of our group. I’m grateful for the swift response of our Officers in serving to knock down the fireplace and likewise finding the suspect of this arson,” Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein mentioned in a press release to native information station WISN.

Rep. Grothman has not issued a press release on his social media platforms like X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram however instructed the native newspaper the FDL Reporter that he’s undecided what occurred precisely.

“I don’t even know but (what occurred) aside from someone tried to set a fireplace over TikTok,” mentioned Grothman, who not like some members of Congress, seems to have by no means had a TikTok account.

The TikTok app went darkish for U.S. customers on Saturday evening however got here again on-line Sunday afternoon ET after incoming president Donald Trump mentioned he’ll signal an govt order on Monday after he’s inaugurated at midday that can delay the ban. Surprisingly, Trump signaled that he need the U.S. federal authorities to personal 50% of the app, although it’s not instantly clear how that might work.