Police in Wisconsin are investigating after a man set fire to a congressman's district office after the popular social media app TikTok briefly went out of service, authorities said.
The Fond du Lac Police Department announced that a 19-year-old Menasha resident has admitted to setting fire to office space rented to U.S. Congressman Glenn Grossman.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, police said officers along with Fond du Lac Fire Rescue responded to Grossman's office for a possible structure fire.
Officers found the suspected arsonist near the strip mall shortly after the fire was extinguished.
Police said the man admitted to setting the fire because he was angry that TikTok had gone dark in the United States. (TikTok: Reuters/Dado Fire: iStock)
Police said the man later admitted to officers that he had started the fire “in response to the recent TikTok ban story.”
Grossman voted in favor of a bill to sell or “ban” TikTok.
Mr. Grossman asked X to respond to the arson charges.
“No one was injured in the fire and the damage is contained,” he wrote. “We would like to thank FDL firefighters and police officers for their quick response.”
TikTok shouts out Trump as app goes dark for millions of users nationwide
“We are relieved that no one was hurt and no one was in the office at the time of the fire. Violence, in any form, will not be tolerated and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community. “Fond du Luc Police Chief Aaron Goldstein said in a statement to FOX News Digital.
“We are grateful for the quick response of our officers in extinguishing the fire and searching for the arson suspect.”
The suspect is being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail and has been referred to the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office on suspicion of arson, officials said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to TikTok for comment on the arson charges.
Police in Wisconsin say a 19-year-old man set a congressman's district office on fire after the popular social media app TikTok went out. (FOX 6 Milwaukee)
TikTok announced Sunday that it is restoring operations in the United States after President-elect Trump promised to issue an executive order extending TikTok's operations. inauguration day.
Tiktok influencers lament platform after Supreme Court ruling, crying 'fuck this country'
The popular Chinese-owned social media platform was shut down on Saturday after the Supreme Court upheld a law banning applications not sold in the United States.
Users in the United States reported being able to regain access to the app after Saturday's power outage, and by Sunday afternoon, users were seeing a new message praising Trump.
“Welcome back!” read the TikTok message. “Thank you for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the United States!”
Early Sunday, President Trump wrote on TRUTH Social: “We're asking companies not to leave TikTok in the dark.”
TikTok briefly went dark in the United States on Saturday night. (Jonathan Ra/Sipa USA)
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“I will issue an executive order on Monday that will extend the time period until the law's ban goes into effect so we can reach a deal that will protect our nation's security,” the president-elect continued. “This order confirms that I will not be liable to any company that helped stop TikTok from going dark prior to my order.”
“Americans have a right to watch Monday's exciting Inauguration Ceremony and other events and conversations,” President Trump said.
His Sunday post did not say how soon the extension would go into effect or how long it would last.
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
