Teen outraged over TikTok ban arrested for setting fire to congressman's office
A teen allegedly set fire to a strip mall in Wisconsin where a congressman's office is located due to outrage over the federal ban on the popular TikTok video-sharing platform.
The 19-year-old Menasha man, whose name has not been released, is in custody and will be charged with arson, police said.
Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman voted last April for a bill that mandated TikTok's China-based parent company sell its U.S. operation by Sunday.
The fire at his office in Fond du Lac was reported around 1am. The building was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported, police said.
The small blaze began outside the building and caused minor damage before it was quickly extinguished by Fond du Lac police and firefighters who rushed to the scene.
Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) officers were first on the scene, quickly deploying fire extinguishers to keep the flames at bay until the City of Fond du Lac Fire Rescue teams arrived.
Chief Aaron Goldstein commended the rapid response of law enforcement and firefighters. 'We are relieved that no one was injured and the office was unoccupied at the time of the fire,' he stated.
'Acts of violence, in any form, are not tolerated, and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community. I am thankful for the swift response of our officers in helping knock down the fire and locating the suspect of this arson.'
Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman's office in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin was set on fire by a teen allegedly motivated by the federal ban on the popular TikTok video-sharing platform
'I deal with obviously dozens of issues and we cannot have people - if they disagree with me - say the way to settle that disagreement is let's try to burn down the congressman's office,' Grothman, pictured, said
The suspect is being held in the Fond du Lac County Jail as authorities prepare to file charges with the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office.
He stands accused of setting the fire, allegedly driven by outrage over the brief TikTok ban which came into effect on Saturday night for about 12 hours.
Police said the teen was arrested after he was seen near the mall watching the fire.
'The TikTok issue is really secondary. I mean, I deal with obviously dozens of issues up here, and we cannot have people - if they disagree with me - say the way to settle that disagreement is let's try to burn down the congressman's office,' Grothman told WISN 12 News.
The fire began outside the building and caused minor damage before it was quickly extinguished by Fond du Lac police and firefighters who rushed to the scene
Police said the teen was arrested after he was seen near the building watching the fire burn
After going dark for users on Saturday night, the app was reactivated by Sunday afternoon. Trump said on social media site he would issue an Executive Order to keep the app running
After going dark for users this weekend, Trump said on his social media site that he would issue an executive order after he's sworn in for a second term on Monday delaying a TikTok ban 'so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.'
He said the order would make clear that companies will not be held liable for violating a law that aimed to force TikTok's sale by its China-based parent company.
Hours later, the app returned, to the relief of its legions of dedicated users.
'Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!' read the announcement.
