A 19-year-old man in Wisconsin has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire at the office of Rep. Glenn Grothman in response to the U.S. government’s discussions about banning TikTok. The fire occurred overnight at the congressman’s office in Fond du Lac, which is located in a strip mall. The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, reportedly expressed his frustration over the TikTok ban, which was set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This action followed a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the ban, which was part of a bill passed in April 2024 that required ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to cease U.S. operations.
According to the Fond du Lac Police Department, officers responded to the fire at around 1:02 a.m. on Sunday. The fire was initially contained by the police using fire extinguishers before fire rescue teams arrived to fully extinguish the flames. No one was injured, as the office was unoccupied at the time. Police later found the suspect near the strip mall, where he admitted to starting the fire in protest of the TikTok ban.
The fire was a serious incident, and authorities are treating it as an act of arson. The local police chief, Aaron Goldstein, condemned the violence, emphasizing that such acts are not tolerated in the community. He also praised the quick response of law enforcement officers in preventing further damage and apprehending the suspect. Goldstein reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.
The fire occurred shortly after the U.S. government enacted the TikTok ban. The app was temporarily unavailable, with users receiving a message stating that TikTok was no longer accessible due to the law. However, just 14 hours later, the app was reinstated with a message from President Donald Trump, who promised to work with ByteDance on a solution to bring TikTok back once he takes office. This brief interruption highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the app and its potential impact on both users and lawmakers.
Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Republican, was among those who voted in favor of the bill that led to the TikTok ban. In response to the arson attack, Grothman expressed disappointment over the violent reaction. He stated that while the TikTok issue was a factor, the real problem was the destructive response to a disagreement with his political stance. Grothman emphasized that violence should never be the solution to political differences, and such actions are unacceptable.
The suspect, a resident of Menasha, is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on charges of arson. His case has been referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office for further legal action. Authorities have indicated that additional details may be released if and when a criminal complaint is filed.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the tensions surrounding the debate over TikTok and its future in the U.S. While the app has millions of users who are passionate about its content and features, the political landscape surrounding its regulation continues to spark strong reactions. The arson attack, however, highlights the dangerous potential of such conflicts when they escalate into violence. It also underscores the importance of addressing political disagreements in a peaceful and constructive manner, rather than resorting to harmful and illegal actions.
