Overview
- The Public Integrity Project filed the March 5 petition in the D.C. Circuit on behalf of ZhaoCheng Tan and Garrett Reid, naming President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Plaintiffs argue the administration unlawfully issued multiple deadline extensions and directed non‑enforcement of the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which allows at most one limited extension.
- The suit challenges the January 2026 TikTok USDS Joint Venture, noting ByteDance retained a 19.9% stake and, per the complaint, continues to own and license the recommendation algorithm to the U.S. entity.
- The filing alleges prohibited operational ties persist, including ByteDance influence over key functions and a board role for TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at the U.S. venture.
- The investors say they were financially harmed as Alphabet and Meta shareholders and seek a declaratory judgment that could compel enforcement or renegotiation; the Justice Department and companies declined or did not provide comment.