Republicans Remain Weary Of TikTok
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) made it clear on Sunday that TikTok continues to pose a significant national security threat, despite President Donald Trump’s ongoing negotiations to allow U.S. users to keep using the app. Turner, a former Intelligence Committee chair, pointed to a law passed by Congress, which found that TikTok’s connections to the Chinese government made it a serious risk. This law, drafted by the House China Select Committee and chaired by Rep. Mike Gallagher, highlights two main concerns: TikTok’s access to American users’ personal data and its potential use as a propaganda tool by the Chinese Communist Party.
Turner, speaking on CBS News’ Face the Nation, emphasized that TikTok must divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to protect U.S. citizens. “The only solution is a complete divestiture,” Turner said. “China is not treating TikTok as a business—it’s a propaganda machine and a tool to steal our data.” He underscored that this data access is a threat to both national security and American privacy.
The tension around TikTok escalated when the company briefly suspended services on January 19, right after the deadline for divestment passed. The app resumed operations shortly after Trump hinted at intervening to save the platform. Although Trump had previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term, citing security risks, he now seems open to exploring a deal that allows the app to stay operational in the U.S. Turner, however, expressed doubt that any deal could effectively safeguard American interests without a full break from China’s influence.
While addressing his recent removal as chair of the Intelligence Committee by Speaker Mike Johnson, Turner clarified that the decision was not linked to pressure from Trump’s camp, despite rumors. Instead, he believes Johnson wanted to take the committee in a new direction, which he feared might prioritize investigating the “deep state” over tackling real national security threats. Nonetheless, Turner remains committed to national security, continuing to serve on the Armed Services Committee and lead the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for the House. He remains focused on ensuring America is protected from foreign threats, especially those linked to China.
In short, Turner’s message is clear: TikTok cannot be trusted in its current form. The app’s ties to Beijing must be severed to protect Americans, and any deal that ignores this threat is a deal that jeopardizes our security.
