Wisconsin Teen Arrested For Setting Fire To GOP Rep.’s Office Over TikTok Ban
A teenager in Wisconsin was arrested Sunday after allegedly setting fire to a building that houses the district office of Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI). Authorities believe the suspect targeted the location in response to the congressman’s support of a federal ban on TikTok.
The Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) stated that officers and fire rescue crews responded to the incident around 1 a.m. and successfully contained the fire. No injuries were reported, as the office was empty at the time.
Officers apprehended a 19-year-old suspect near the scene. The individual reportedly admitted to starting the fire due to frustration over discussions of banning the popular social media platform. He was taken into custody at the Fond du Lac County Jail and is facing arson charges.
“We are relieved that no one was hurt,” said FDLPD Chief Aaron Goldstein. “Violence of any kind will not be tolerated, and we are dedicated to keeping our community safe. I am grateful for the quick response of our officers in containing the fire and apprehending the suspect.”
Rep. Grothman, who supported a measure to ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sold the app, expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the federal law mandating ByteDance’s divestment, TikTok temporarily blocked access for U.S. users. The app has faced scrutiny over concerns about data security and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
President Donald Trump addressed the issue, stating that while he respects the court’s ruling, he is considering possible alternatives. He indicated he may sign an executive order allowing for partial U.S. ownership of the app, emphasizing national security concerns.
Despite TikTok initially cutting off access for American users, the platform announced it was working to restore service within hours of the outage.
As investigations continue, local officials have assured residents that additional updates will be provided once formal charges are filed.
