Title: Youth Accused of Arson at Congressman's Office in TikTok Ban Protest
A 19-year-old individual hailing from Menasha found themselves in hot water during the early hours of Sunday, following an incident at an office located in Fond Du Lac. This office belonged to U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 6th District, who had previously voted in favor of a TikTok "ban or divest" law.
The incident took place around 1:00 a.m. local time, as reported by WMTV. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a structure fire at 525 N. Peters Avenue. The building was empty at the time, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. First responders managed to contain the fire with fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived in full force.
As per the Channel 3000, the fire primarily impacted the outside of the door and an air conditioning unit, causing significant damage. Rep. Grothman's office published a photo of the aftermath, which resulted in widespread sharing on social media.
The 19-year-old arson suspect was subsequently apprehended by authorities from Fond Du Lac. This individual confessed to intentionally setting the fire as a protest against the recent talks regarding a TikTok ban. WISN reported the arrest, but the suspect's identity remains undisclosed, as they are currently held on an arson charge at the Fond du Lac County Jail.
Fond du Lac Police Chief Aaron Goldstein voiced his sentiments in a statement to WISN, expressing strong opposition towards acts of violence. Goldstein reiterated his commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.
Despite the incident, Rep. Grothman did not issue any statements on his social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. He also told the local newspaper, FDL Reporter, that he was unsure about the specific circumstances surrounding the incident.
Remarkably, TikTok faced a brief shutdown for U.S. users on Saturday night but was swiftly reactivated on Sunday afternoon after new President-elect Donald Trump promised to sign an executive order the following day, delaying the ban permanently. Trump also suggested his intentions to secure a 50% stake in the app as part of the deal, though the logistics of this proposal remain unclear.
The 19-year-old suspect expressed their discontent with the TikTok ban discussions by using tech and modern technology, specifically setting fire to the building as a form of protest. In the future, such acts of technology-related protests could potentially increase as digital platforms become more politically charged.