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If there's one person who has unfortunately had to get used to really bad faith arguments, it's Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex has been the target of vitriol in the media and from right-wing pundits.
Recently, Markle used her platform to try and advocate for paid parental leave. She wrote an open letter to the United States Congress demanding paid leave for new parents in America.
Her advocacy has many online grateful for her support.
Meghan Markle, the duchess of Sussex, writes open letter to Congress, advocating for paid family leave in the Unite… https://t.co/9imJT7UKV0— ABC News (@ABC News) 1634790967.0
@NBCNews She’s an American first! God bless her for bringing awareness to this important matter.— Tasha ☀️ (@Tasha ☀️) 1635042472.0
@MelanieinAus @NBCNews Exactly.— Nolen 🇺🇸💉 (@Nolen 🇺🇸💉) 1635083027.0
@ABC She’s so great. Thank you, Meghan, for using your fame for good.💞— Maine Mama🍁🎃🦹🏻♀️ (@Maine Mama🍁🎃🦹🏻♀️) 1634795013.0
Markle's letter talks about her childhood and advocates that:
"No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child..."
She ends the letter with her name and title, as the "Duchess of Sussex."
However, not everyone was so appreciative of Markle's letter. House Representative, Jason Smith of Missouri raged against what he saw as Markle's attempt to influence American politics.
Smith told the Daily Mail:
"Ms. Markle's latest interference in U.S. politics reignites the question in my mind as to why the Royal Family does not simply strip her and Harry officially of their titles, particularly since she insists on sending this under the pretense of being the Duchess of Sussex."
Smith's criticism seemed strange, considering Markle is a United States citizen, and has protected free speech.
Many online felt his criticism lacked any substance.
This is just another example of how insanely cultish the GOP has become. With the facts that are being exposed abou… https://t.co/3nxgksLvge— Mozella Stokes (@Mozella Stokes) 1635155624.0
@thehill We can’t revoke royal titles because we don’t recognize royal titles. Over here they’re just folks.— AgeQuodAgis (@AgeQuodAgis) 1634931195.0
Someone ought to tell him to stay in his lane or sit down & shut up. Not his place to get involved in determining w… https://t.co/hQQkYEobeY— Dontgototheshowbye (@Dontgototheshowbye) 1634927491.0
Republican Leaders Want Meghan Markle's Royal Title Taken Away. What is going on GOP? Are they going dumb? They are… https://t.co/qA30qUTbGO— Zauner Jenni (@Zauner Jenni) 1635117825.0
In all fairness she is still technically an American citizen and due to that fact alone she does have a right to sp… https://t.co/3QmwX2OSvM— Robert Gallaher (@Robert Gallaher) 1634916412.0
#MeganMarkel is an American citizen AND The Duchess of Sussex—maybe the GOP cannot grasp the second concept, but wh… https://t.co/XNinPEotVS— ttthomas (@ttthomas) 1634864101.0
This isn't the first time Smith has tried to argue that Markle should be stripped of her royal title. Last year, during the 2020 Presidential Election, Smith tried to demand the British government strip Markle of her title for "interfering in the U.S. election."
Smith was concerned by comments Markle made on the U.S. election in September of 2020. However, it's once again important to point out, she is American citizen and protected by free speech laws.
Still, not everyone is so convinced that Markle shouldn't be stripped of her royal title.
This led to debate in the comments.
@MothersRule54 @scobie @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @PaidLeaveforAll @GOP @TheDemocrats How is an American citizen cr… https://t.co/TOEskAfsbP— LaToyia (@LaToyia) 1634759469.0
@4Thisisus @LaToyia10008315 @MothersRule54 @scobie @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @PaidLeaveforAll @GOP @TheDemocrats I… https://t.co/oLNDCO9sqY— Charm (@Charm) 1634763771.0
@4Thisisus @MothersRule54 @LiveOutre @LaToyia10008315 @scobie @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer @PaidLeaveforAll @GOP… https://t.co/DzIZZfriTc— Lady Danbury (@Lady Danbury) 1634788982.0
Experts in UK politics don't think Markle's comments will cause issue in the Royal Family. She is fairly separated from her royal duties and is "highly political".
Additionally, the United States is part of a very few rich nations who do not guarantee paid sick or parental leave. If the Royal Family took some kind of action over Markle's comments, it could be seen as an opposite political stance.