Former Wisconsin Congressman Mike Gallagher has said that the impending ban on TikTok is not due to actions by Congress but rather stems from the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping, who he claims aim to create "chaos in America" through the app. These comments were made in a Wall Street Journal article published on January 9.
"The law Congress passed isn't the obstacle to saving TikTok," said Congressman Mike Gallagher, Former Congressman from Wisconsin. "It is General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. Let's free TikTok from Mr. Xi's control and thereby prevent him from fomenting further chaos in America."
According to CBS News, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case on Friday that could impact TikTok's future in the United States. The discussions will revolve around issues of free speech and national security. The app, which boasts over 170 million American users monthly, faces a potential shutdown on January 19 unless the court decides to delay or overturn a law mandating its sale by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. TikTok and its advocates argue that this law infringes upon First Amendment rights. President-elect Donald Trump has requested that the court pause enforcement to allow for a political resolution.
Supporters of the ban, including the Biden administration, assert that TikTok presents national security risks, citing concerns that China might use the app to access user data or influence public discourse. TikTok could potentially avoid a ban if Trump's Justice Department delays enforcement or negotiates a resolution.
Gallagher supports banning TikTok but insists Congress should not be held responsible. In his Wall Street Journal opinion piece, he argued that TikTok is controlled by China, which he describes as America's geopolitical adversary. He also criticized TikTok for attempting to "manipulate the system" instead of adhering to American laws. As the original author of the bill proposing the TikTok ban, Gallagher said his objective is not to prevent Americans from using the app but to ensure they can do so "safely."
Gallagher expressed concerns about privacy and security threats posed by TikTok through potential access by Chinese hackers to detailed data on millions of American users.
Mike Gallagher represented Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District from 2017 until his resignation in 2024. He served as Chair of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.
