Full Breakdown
Florida Nurse's License Revoked After Wishing Childbirth Injury on Karoline Leavitt
1/29/2026, 4:26:57 AM
Incident Overview
Lexie Lawler, a former labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida, has had her nursing license suspended following a viral TikTok video in which she wished severe childbirth injuries on Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary. In the video, Lawler expressed her desire for Leavitt to suffer a "fourth-degree tear" during childbirth, stating, "As a labor and delivery nurse, it gives me great joy to wish Karoline Leavitt a fourth-degree tear. I hope you f*ing rip from bow to stern and never s* normally again, you c***."
Official Actions and Responses
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo ordered the emergency suspension of Lawler's nursing license, emphasizing that wishing harm on others, particularly in a healthcare context, crosses an ethical line. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier supported this action, stating, "Women shouldn’t have to worry about a politically driven nurse who wishes them pain and suffering being in the delivery room during childbirth. It’s evil." Uthmeier had previously called for the Florida Board of Nursing to revoke Lawler's license, asserting that her comments were unacceptable for someone in her profession.
Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital confirmed Lawler's termination, stating, "The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of healthcare professionals." The hospital reiterated that there is no place in healthcare for language that undermines a caregiver's ability to provide compassionate care.
Public Reaction and Support for Lawler
The incident sparked significant backlash on social media, particularly among supporters of former President Donald Trump, who called for Lawler's termination. In response to the criticism, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Lawler, aiming to raise $14,000 for legal defense against what supporters describe as retaliation for her political speech. The fundraiser claims that Lawler's comments were directed at a public figure and not her workplace, framing her firing as an infringement on free speech.
Criticism and Opposition
While Lawler defended her remarks, stating that she was expressing her views on a public figure, critics argue that her comments are inappropriate for someone in the healthcare profession. Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer condemned Lawler's statements, asserting that "these disgusting comments have no place in medicine or in our community."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There is a discrepancy regarding the status of Lawler's nursing license. While her license has been suspended, reports indicate that it remains active in the Florida Department of Health database. This raises questions about the immediate implications of the suspension and the timeline for potential further actions by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Effective today, Lexie Lawler is no longer allowed to practice nursing in Florida.” — James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General
- “Making statements that wish pain and suffering on anyone, when those statements are directly related to one's practice, is an ethical red line we should not cross,” — James Uthmeier
- “These disgusting comments have no place in medicine or in our community.” — Scott Singer, Boca Raton Mayor
This incident highlights the intersection of personal expression and professional responsibility, raising ongoing discussions about free speech and ethical standards in healthcare.
