(Tampa Free Press)—The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear constitutional challenges to the proposed federal TikTok ban. The Court has scheduled oral arguments for January 10, 2025, just days before the ban is set to take effect on January 19, 2025, one day before the presidential inauguration.
The Liberty Justice Center, which filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the ban in June, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the case, underscoring its importance for the free speech rights of millions of Americans. Among the plaintiffs is BASED Politics, Inc., a media organization that relies on TikTok for content distribution and audience engagement.
“It’s encouraging that the Supreme Court acted so quickly to take up this case and that arguments will be heard before the TikTok ban can go into effect,” said Jacob Huebert, President of the Liberty Justice Center. “This law would suppress Americans’ speech on an unprecedented scale, and we’re hopeful the Court will ensure it never takes effect.”
Earlier this week, the Liberty Justice Center, along with a group of TikTok creators and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, filed emergency petitions urging the Supreme Court to intervene and block the ban. The Court’s order granted both petitions but deferred ruling on an injunction against the ban until after oral arguments are held.
Key Dates and Next Steps
- December 27, 2024: Petitioners and the Department of Justice will submit opening briefs.
- January 3, 2025: Reply briefs are due.
- January 10, 2025: Oral arguments will be heard in Washington, D.C.
- January 19, 2025: The TikTok ban is scheduled to take effect unless halted by the Court.
The Liberty Justice Center contends that the TikTok ban violates the First Amendment by restricting Americans’ ability to share and access content on the platform. The case, BASED Politics Inc. v. Garland, originated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in June and has since garnered significant attention.
“This case has far-reaching implications,” Huebert said. “The outcome will not only determine the future of TikTok in the U.S. but will also set a precedent for how the government can regulate digital platforms and online expression.”