Senator Markey Statement on TikTok Deal

Markey criticizes lack of transparency over the agreement and calls on Congress to investigate
Boston (January 23, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement following news that the U.S. and China have signed off on a deal over TikTok.
“After over a year of Donald Trump illegally extending the TikTok deadline, this TikTok deal raises many more questions than answers. Despite my repeated requests for information, the White House has provided virtually no details about this agreement, including whether TikTok’s algorithm is truly free of Chinese influence. This lack of transparency reeks. Congress has a responsibility to investigate this deal, demand transparency, and ensure that any arrangement truly protects national security while keeping TikTok online.”
In November 2025, Senator Markeywrotea letter to President Donald Trump, requesting a briefing on the status of the TikTok deal and answers to questions on the terms of the deal. President Trump has not responded to the letter.
In July 2025, Senator Markeyreleaseda discussion draft of legislation, called theTikTok Transparency and Data Security Act, that would address the national security risks posed by ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok without banning an application. In March 2025, Senator Markey, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Van Hollen D-Md.), sent aletterto President Donald Trump, requesting additional information on any efforts to keep TikTok online in the United States and urging the Administration to work with Congress on any potential resolutions to the TikTok ban. President Trump has not answered Senator Markey’s letter. On April 9, 2025, Senator Markey asked for unanimous consent to pass hisExtend the TikTok Deadline Acton the Senate floor. Senate Republicansblockedit.
On January 16, 2025, Senator Markey, along with Senators Booker (D-N.J.) and Van Hollen (D-Md.), sent aletterto former President Joe Biden urging him to trigger the 90-day extension in theProtection Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Actto allow ByteDance additional time to divest from TikTok. On January 15, 2025, Senators Markey, Booker, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) introduced theExtend the TikTok Deadline Act,legislation that would delay the January 19 deadline by which ByteDance must sell TikTok or face a ban, by an additional 270 days.
In December 2024, Senators Markey and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), along with Congressman Khanna, submitted abipartisan, bicameral amicus briefurging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the D.C. Circuit Court's decision inTikTok Inc. v. Garland, which upheld the TikTok ban established under theProtecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.On December 19, Senators Markey and Paul sent aletterto President Joe Biden urging him to provide TikTok owner ByteDance with a 90-day extension to either sell TikTok or face the ban.
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