Trump Delays TikTok Ban with Executive Order
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order postponing a ban on the popular short-form video app TikTok. The order grants the Trump administration a 75-day grace period to explore alternative measures for addressing national security concerns related to the app.
The law that triggered the ban prohibited users from accessing TikTok through major app stores and cloud services. However, Trump claims that this timing hinders his ability to determine the security implications and negotiate a resolution.
Trump has expressed interest in seeking a 50% stake in a joint venture that would continue operating TikTok. He has also threatened to impose tariffs on China if an acceptable buyer is not approved for the app's US assets.
The order has raised legal concerns, as some experts argue that it contravenes existing federal law. Citing the 1952 Supreme Court case Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, Kent Law School professor Mark Rosen suggests that executive orders are vulnerable to challenge when they clash with established laws.
Despite the uncertainty, TikTok remains unavailable on the Apple App Store and Google Play as of this writing. The legal battle between the Trump administration and TikTok is expected to continue in the coming weeks.