West Houston News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Republican Congressman Troy E. Nehls of Texas and Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa have jointly urged President Joe Biden to halt his use of TikTok as long as it remains under Chinese ownership. The lawmakers expressed their concerns regarding the national security risks associated with the popular social media platform.

In a statement, Congressman Nehls criticized President Biden's campaign for continuing to use TikTok despite the acknowledged dangers it poses. Nehls emphasized, "By continuing to use TikTok, Joe Biden is putting politics over the safety of the American people." He further highlighted the importance of prioritizing national security over political considerations.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, co-authored by Rep. Nehls and Sen. Ernst, the lawmakers urged the President to suspend the use of his TikTok account until the application is sold to a responsible U.S. buyer. The letter underscored the well-documented security concerns surrounding TikTok's ownership by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The correspondence referenced statements from administration officials, including White House national security communications advisor John Kirby and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who have raised alarms about the data security risks posed by TikTok. The letter highlighted TikTok's history of alleged espionage activities, including spying on American journalists and politicians.

Moreover, the letter pointed out the reported reluctance of the CCP to approve the divestiture of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The lawmakers questioned the motives behind China's apparent obstruction of a potential deal that could see ByteDance profit significantly from TikTok's operations in the U.S.

Despite these concerns, President Biden's campaign remains steadfast in its use of TikTok, with campaign deputy manager Rob Flaherty defending the decision by stating, "We would be silly to write off any place where people are getting information about the president."

In conclusion, Rep. Nehls and Sen. Ernst reiterated their call for President Biden to prioritize national security and suspend the use of TikTok until the platform is no longer under CCP control. The lawmakers emphasized the need for leadership and setting a good example for Americans regarding the safe use of social media applications.