WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Biden administration is considering ways to keep TikTok available in the U.S. if the Supreme Court allows a ban to go into effect Sunday.
Last week, the Biden administration argued on behalf of the ban before the Supreme Court but this week sources say the president is evaluating ways to keep it running Sunday, leaving the door open for the Trump administration to find a long-term solution after he’s sworn in on Monday.
The outgoing Biden administration says it will be up to the next administration to implement the federal law. It mandates TikTok sell to a U.S. owner or be banned in the U.S. on January 19th.
Incoming president Donald Trump says he’s exploring ways to preserve the app and is extending an olive branch.
TikTok’s CEO confirms he will be at Trump’s inauguration Monday.
“I agree with Donald Trump. Give it more time,” said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
Democratic Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, like the vast majority of Congress, originally backed the ban but is now making a last-ditch effort to give TikTok a 270-day extension to sell.
“It’s time for Congress to acknowledge that the rush passage of this law was a mistake,” said Markey.
The effort failed.
“Let me be clear: there will be no extensions, no concessions, and no compromises for TikTok,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
Republicans, led by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, say TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, had ample time to find a new buyer.
“We didn’t pull the rug out from under TikTok,” said Cotton.
Thursday, Markey called on the president to enact a 90-day extension. The law allows for a one-time extension.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says for the sake of TikTok’s 170 million users, “I will work with the Trump administration and with both parties to keep TikTok alive while protecting our national security.”
The Supreme Court is deliberating whether to uphold the ban or potentially allow a delay. The justices are expected to rule on the case any day now.
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