President Donald Trump's decision to delay TikTok's sale-or-ban deadline by 75 days has sparked legal concerns and bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers arguing that the move is "against the law" and threatens national security. The delay has left service providers like Apple, Google, and Oracle on shaky ground, as they face uncertainty over the app's future in the US.

The delay has been met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-VA) stating that the move is "against the law" and that Trump's administration is ignoring the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Warner argued that the algorithm must be moved out of Beijing's hands to ensure national security.

Twelve House Republicans, including Chair John Moolenaar (R-MI), released a joint statement expressing concerns that any resolution must ensure that US law is followed and that the Chinese Communist Party does not have access to American user data or the ability to manipulate the content consumed by Americans. Similarly, three Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), stated that any deal must finally end China's ability to surveil and potentially manipulate the American people through the app.

Trump's delay has also been criticized by Democrats, with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) arguing that the move is "unfair to those companies and unfair to TikTok's users and creators." Markey has introduced a bill to extend the deadline, which he believes would provide a more lawful and certain path forward. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) has also called for a full repeal of the law, citing concerns over free expression and creators' livelihoods.

The controversy surrounding TikTok's ownership structure and potential national security risks has been ongoing for months. The app's parent company, ByteDance, has consistently denied that the Chinese government could access US user data or influence the app's content. However, lawmakers have remained skeptical, citing concerns over the company's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The delay has also raised questions over the role of Congress in addressing the issue. While lawmakers have been vocal in their criticism of Trump's move, they appear unlikely to take concrete action to enforce the existing law. As Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) noted, "Congress, we don't have an enforcement arm of our own."

The implications of Trump's delay are far-reaching, with potential consequences for US national security, free expression, and the tech industry as a whole. As the situation continues to unfold, lawmakers and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the administration addresses the concerns surrounding TikTok's ownership and operation in the US.