Rep. Mark Pocan
Wisconsin representative Mark Pocan, who was one of the few lawmakers to speak out in TikTok’s defense at a rally held in front of the capitol building last month, is on the app but posts infrequently. The representative has made thirteen videos since November and only has 6,619 followers. Pocan thankfully avoids hopping on the trendy meme bandwagon like many of his colleagues and instead tend to speak to the camera about issues with soothing and slightly creepy piano music playing in the background. He also manages to pull off some decent magic tricks.
@repmarkpocan My full time job is in Congress, but I’ve been doing #magic for as long as I can remember. Check out my Twitter for a #MagicMonday like this every week! #throwback
@repmarkpocan Everybody knows I’m Watson’s favorite 🐶 #officedog #dogtok #pawlicyadvisor
In defending TikTok, Pocan says calls for bans are a distraction meant to avoid grappling with larger data privacy harms carried out by US platforms. He also has a hard time taking some lawmakers’ exuberant concerts about potential Chinese government spying seriously.
“If you’ve ever watched members of Congress talk about issues like this, it’s cringeworthy,” Pocan said during the anti-TikTok ban rally that was posted on the platform. “It’s TikTok-worthy content to watch people who are above the average age of most people using TikTok trying to explain it. They’ve never done it. They’ve never done it.”
@repmarkpocan I’ve watched the Wednesday dance more times than I can count. Banning TikTok isn’t the answer. Making sure Americans’ data is safe is. We can find community online AND have privacy. Congress needs to step up & pass real legislation, not just target one company. #Congress #TikTok #TikTokBan #houseofrepesentatives
