Man Claims He Set Fire Outside GOP Congressman's Office Over TikTok Ban: Police

Rep. Glenn Grothman was among the lawmakers who voted in favor of a bill requiring TikTok to divest its Chinese ownership.

A 19-year-old man who allegedly set a fire at a strip mall that houses the office of Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was motivated by recent talks of a federal ban on TikTok, authorities said Sunday.

Fond du Lac police chief Aaron Goldstein expressed relief that the office was empty at the time of the fire and noted that no injuries have been reported.

“Acts of violence, in any form are not tolerated, and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community,” Goldstein said in a statement. “I am thankful for the swift response of our Officers in helping knock down the fire and also locating the suspect of this arson.”

In a press release shared on social media, the Fond du Lac Police Department said officers arrived at the scene shortly after 1 a.m. and initially used fire extinguishers to contain the blaze while waiting for firefighters to reach the location and put it out.

Officers said they found a male resident near the building who “admitted to starting the fire in response to recent talks of a TikTok ban.”