US President Donald Trump has apparently managed to cause quite a ruckus on social media as he moved to pardon Susan B. Anthony, a women's suffrage leader who was arrested for voting in 1872 in violation of laws permitting only men to vote.
During an event held at the White House on 18 August, the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which ensured women the right to vote, Trump announced that he would sign “a full and complete pardon" for Anthony.
Quite a few social media users, however, seemed either nonplussed or went on to openly mock the president's move.
I’m surprised Trump didn’t refer to Susan B. Anthony as a suburban housewife.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 18, 2020
So Donald Trump is pardoning Susan B. Anthony. I’m confused. Isn’t she a hero because she was arrested? I thought he likes people that weren’t arrested.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 18, 2020
she’s going to rise from the grave and haunt him
— Jacqui Harper (@JacqHarper) August 18, 2020
And Democratic New York Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul even demanded that Trump rescind said pardon, arguing that Anthony “was proud of her arrest to draw attention to the cause for women’s rights, and never paid her fine”.
As highest ranking woman elected official in New York and on behalf of Susan B. Anthony’s legacy we demand Trump rescind his pardon.
— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) August 18, 2020
She was proud of her arrest to draw attention to the cause for women’s rights, and never paid her fine. Let her Rest In Peace, @realDonaldTrump.
There were also those, however, who appeared to appreciate the POTUS' actions.
Thank you mr president 👯♀️ 👑
— keMi bceCaM (@MikeMcCabeSad) August 18, 2020
You can still recognize Susan B. Anthony's act of resistance by refusing to pay the fine, while also recognizing that her sentence was unjust and the government owes her an apology.
— Alex (@_alex_joshua) August 18, 2020
Trump, as the highest government representative, did the right thing by pardoning her. https://t.co/9wN1efzqHB
According to the AP, Trump performed this move as he “works to curry favor with women voters” ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
