President Trump extends the TikTok ban enforcement deadline to June 2025, keeping the popular app alive in the US while deal negotiations continue.
At a Glance
- Trump signed an executive order extending the enforcement deferral of the TikTok ban until June 19, 2025
- During this period, the Department of Justice will not pursue legal action against TikTok or penalize its operations
- ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) was originally required to divest its US operations by January 19
- Negotiations for a potential US ownership deal continue amid national security concerns
- The Attorney General maintains exclusive enforcement authority, preventing states or private parties from taking independent action
Executive Order Grants TikTok Significant Reprieve
President Trump has signed an executive order extending the enforcement delay for the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act through June 19, 2025. This order, which builds upon Executive Order 14166 from January 20, 2025, provides TikTok with a substantial 18-month reprieve from potential removal from US app stores. The Department of Justice is now temporarily barred from pursuing legal action against those involved in developing or distributing the app during this extended postponement period.
The executive order specifically instructs the Attorney General to issue written guidance confirming that activities conducted during this period will not be considered violations of the Act. This provides critical legal protection for tech companies like Apple and Google that host the application, as well as for TikTok’s continued US operations during negotiations for a potential sale or restructuring of its American business.
Sale Negotiations Continue Amid National Security Concerns
The executive order comes as ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, continues negotiations with the US government regarding the app’s future. Originally, ByteDance faced a January 19 deadline to divest from TikTok or face removal from US app stores. The app briefly shut down before that deadline but resumed operations after Trump’s intervention, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of the negotiations.
Several potential buyers have emerged for TikTok’s US operations, including consortiums led by billionaire Frank McCourt and another organized by Jesse Tinsley. Any deal would require approval from both the US government and Chinese authorities, adding significant complexity to negotiations. Trump has suggested he might offer tariff reductions to incentivize China’s approval, though he later imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods.
Congressional Pushback and Legal Challenges
Many lawmakers remain adamant that TikTok must completely sever ties with ByteDance to address national security concerns. The Senate Intelligence Committee and numerous legislators view TikTok as a significant threat due to its algorithm being controlled by a China-based company with potential ties to the Chinese government. Previous attempts by TikTok to address these concerns, such as its “Project Texas” initiative aimed at protecting US user data, were deemed insufficient by the Justice Department.
“The record before us establishes that TikTok mines data both from TikTok users and about millions of others who do not consent to share their information,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a brief separate opinion.
TikTok’s legal challenge against the law was previously rejected by the Supreme Court, which upheld the government’s position regarding national security risks. Some legal experts have questioned whether the President has the authority to extend the deadline in this manner, but challenges to the executive order appear unlikely due to difficulties in establishing legal standing and the lack of a clear constituency against it.
Enforcement Authority Clarified
The executive order emphasizes that enforcement authority rests exclusively with the Executive Branch, specifically the Attorney General. This provision prevents states or private parties from undertaking independent enforcement actions related to the Act. The order also specifies that it does not affect existing legal authorities or create any enforceable rights or benefits against the United States or its entities.
Democratic lawmakers have suggested amending the law to extend the sale deadline through legislative action, expressing concerns about the legal risks for tech companies involved with TikTok under the current approach. As negotiations continue, TikTok’s 170 million American users can continue accessing the platform at least through mid-2025, providing significant breathing room for all parties to work toward a resolution that addresses both national security concerns and the app’s continued operation.
