TikTok Hires Former U.S. Solicitor General to Challenge Potential U.S. Ban
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have enlisted former U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco to represent them in a legal battle against a law that could ban the platform in the United States. Francisco, known for defending President-elect Donald Trump’s policies before the Supreme Court during his first administration, will work alongside Hashim Mooppan at law firm Jones Day.
The potential ban stems from concerns about national security risks, with lawmakers citing fears that China could force ByteDance to share data from TikTok's 170 million U.S. users. TikTok denies any ties to the Chinese government.
The D.C. Circuit Court recently upheld the law's constitutionality, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. TikTok has petitioned the Supreme Court to review the decision, arguing for a stay on the law while the case is under consideration.
Francisco’s legal team has extensive experience with high-profile cases, including defending Trump’s travel ban and representing U.S. gun manufacturers in a Supreme Court case. ByteDance's decision to hire Francisco signals the company's determination to fight the ban at the highest judicial level.
